The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden (Plus 10 Race) at Cork saw an impressive debut performance from Paddy Twomey's Intikhab gelding Expected.

Billy Lee aboard the 4/1 shot (from 5s on track and bigger earlier) was full of confidence at the two pole, and his trust in the three-year-old was fully justified as he extended away to beat odds-on favourite Escapability by no less than twenty one lengths.

"It was an impressive performance but the ground is near unraceable and he probably handled it well better than anything else," said Lee.

"He is a horse with a bit of class, he's a fine big scopey horse and we think he is one for the future."

C. O'Donoghue, rider of Escapability trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that in his opinion the track was unraceable.

The Stewards interviewed Mr. T. V. O'Connell, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Clerk of the Course, following a report from C.D. O'Donoghue, rider, that in his opinion today's track was unraceable.

Evidence was heard from Mr. T.V. O'Connell, who stated that in his opinion the ground is consistently heavy and that racing could proceed.

Having considered both opinions, the Stewards were satisfied to allow racing to proceed.

(TW & EM)