MORNING SUPREME maintained her unbeaten record over obstacles with an all-the-way win in the Newmarket Mares Novice Hurdle at Cork yesterday.

The six-year-old, fifth behind the mighty Dunguib in last season’s Champion Bumper, was sent off the 30 to 100 favourite to supplement a hurdling debut success at Limerick last month, and the result was never in doubt.

Although her jumping was less than convincing on her first foray over flights, she was much more assured on this occasion.

Ruby Walsh barely had to move a muscle as she steadily drew clear to score by 21 lengths. “I was waiting for this race for ages. It was cancelled once or twice,” said winning trainer Willie Mullins.

“I’ll try and find a similar race for her. Christmas might be a bit soon as she’s a bit hard on herself.

“We might keep her down the country. We’ll look at the end of Limerick or the new year. Her jumping seemed to be a lot better. Even when she got close she didn’t lose ground. If she makes as much improvement again she would be up to Graded company.” Victor Chandler were impressed enough to give the talented mare a 20 to 1 quote for next year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, for which Dunguib is a best-priced 7 to 4 favourite.

Knockieran swooped late to land the Ballyclough Handicap Hurdle under Lenny Flynn after an exciting and controversial finish which led to a stewards’ inquiry and a one-day suspension for Davy Russell on fifth-placed Instinctive.

The filly improved to the heels of the leaders two out and looked set to launch a challenge before veering left after the flight. There wasn’t a lot of room on the outside before the last and she was jostling for room with Instinctive going to the final flight. Dolly Hall, chasing the leaders, was hampered as the pair shifted right.

Flynn conjured a strong finish from his mount on the run-in to get up in the closing stages for a length victory over Barneys Honour with Dolly Hall an unlucky third. “She’ll have a little break now as she’s after having a few runs recently, said winning trainer Jimmy Finn. “We’ll bring her back in the New Year. She’ll stay handicappping. She’s only a small little mare and it wouldn’t be fair to take on a fence with her.”

Forpadydeplasterer is on target for the Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday week as long as the ground is suitable. Trainer Tom Cooper reports last season’s Arkle Trophy winner to be in fine form following his overseas trip to Sandown where he was second in the Tingle Creek Chase. “He’s excellent. He had his first canter yesterday morning and cantered again today, but he’d been ticking away on the roads over the last week and has come out of Sandown very good.”