Racing:The Jessica Harrington-trained Bostons Angel beat his two better-fancied rivals in the McCarthy Insurance Group Hurdle at Cork this afternoon.
The 4-1 shot took over at the head of affairs from Kauto Relko leaving the back straight, although the other 5-4 joint-favourite Mr Warbucks was in close attendance.
The pair had left Kauto Relko behind when he suffered a tired fall two out, and Bostons Angel responded admirably to Robbie Power's urgings to record a two-length verdict.
Harrington said: "He was doing nothing the whole way round and never picked up the bit at any stage - that's just the way he is and he won't change."
Mouse Morris's Shane Rock was made to work hard to land the odds in Cork's Kanturk Maiden Hurdle.
A host of non-runners meant the five-year-old, who came to grief when still in contention at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting, was sent off at 4-5 under Niall Madden.
Mazara made a bold fist of things in front and was still giving the favourite plenty to think about at the last, but Shane Rock gradually gained the upper hand and went on to score by four lengths.
Morris said: "The ground is much faster that Shane Rock would like but he did it well enough. He got a fright when he fell at Leopardstown but I couldn't school him since due to the frosty ground. He'll make a nice staying chaser in time."
Dolly Hall defied top-weight with an authoritative performance in the McCarthy Insurance Group Mares Handicap Hurdle at Cork.
Liam Burke's charge had let down favourite-backers on her previous two outings, most recently at Limerick last week, but punters kept the faith and she was sent off the 7-4 market leader.
She progressed from her midfield position to challenge for the lead at the penultimate flight and Robert Jones kept her up to her work to beat Kylebeg Krystle by two lengths.
The race, which opened the meeting, was delayed by 20 minutes as officials made late alterations to the track, but Burke was delighted with his mare.
He said: "She deserved that win. She's tough and the further she goes the better she is. We will probably go chasing with her next."
Brian O'Connell delivered Kilflora (9-4) with a perfectly-timed run to lift the first division of the McCarthy Insurance Group Maiden Hurdle and spark a double for trainer Philip Fenton.
He was cantering all over his rivals coming down to the last but having found little in the finish in previous starts, O'Connell held on before pushing on over the final flight.
Fenton said: "Brian has oceans of confidence and gave Kilflora a great ride. Kilflora can be a soft horse and doesn't find a lot off the bridle. He'll go for a handicap next."
The handler completed his brace as Old Charm (7-1) took the closing McCarthy Insurance Group Flat Race.
Declan Bates partnered his fourth winner as Goidelic (8-1) landed division two of the maiden hurdle for his boss Philip Rothwell.