Dropping back from the Listed company he kept at the Curragh 15 days back, Eastern Voice justified favouritism in the opening auction maiden at Cork.

This Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden saw Eastern Voice and Dense Star dominate but the Jim Bolger-trained and Kevin Manning-ridden victor deservedly took his form figures to ‘4231’ by a length and a quarter. Zozimus came home well for third, three and three parts of a length back.

"He had the form in the book and had plenty of experience and was entitled to do that,” said Manning.

"You'd be very happy with the way he did it and it is lovely ground."

C.D. Hayes, rider of Skipjack trained by D.J. Bunyan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was hampered leaving the gates.

J.M. Sheridan, rider of Shannon Valley trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount is a small filly that was very intimidated by the horses in front of her when racing close to the field, she was also very green and hung away from horses either side of her in the last two and a half furlongs.

(TW & EM)