Schindlers Ark made a winning start over hurdles but only after the intervention of the stewards in the McCarthy Insurance Group Maiden Hurdle at Cork.

The grey gelding, who joined Gordon Elliott in the autumn having been bought out of Charles O’Brien’s yard for just 5,000 euro, was awarded the race in the stewards’ room after going down by a head to Galtymore

Galtymore (10/1) made virtually all the running but drifted badly left under pressure for rider/trainer Denis Hogan on the run-in.

Hogan’s mount hampered Schindlers Ark (6/1), who had thrown down a strong challenge from the last under Jack Kennedy, with just a head separating the pair at the line. Tildas Icon kept on a further length and three quarters away in third, while the gamble of the race Toulson (20/1 this morning and backed from 12/1 into 4/1 on track) weakened after a bad mistake three out eventually finishing towards the rear.