RACING/Cork Report: Hugh O'Driscoll, who only took out a permit to train at Milford, Co Cork, last month, saddled his first winner when Polish Legion landed the five-furlong Charleville Handicap at Cork last evening.
The nine-year-old gelding struck the front inside the final furlong for Fran Berry to beat Peru Genie by a length.
"This horse was with a good friend of mine, Sean Keightley, at Newmarket but just didn't like the place. Sean and I worked together in Ben Hanbury's yard. Training is really just a hobby and I have two horses at the moment," said O'Driscoll, who is a qualified pilot.
Kevin Manning moved onto the 35 winner mark for the season aboard Panchita, who was always prominent in the Glantane Handicap and kept on gamely to deny Neckar Valley and Quest For Peace by a short-head and a neck.
The four-year-old filly is leased by the Jack Of Trumps Racing Club, who were recording their fifth individual winner between Flat and National Hunt
"She is very small, but is the toughest filly I have ever put a saddle on," said a beaming Irene Oakes after Sun Slash readily took the juvenile auction race.
Wayne Smith's mount drew clear inside the final furlong to beat Silvertine by an easy two lengths and is likely to be aimed now at a winners' auction race.
Heart Midoltian took the Mitsubishi McCarthy TV & Electrical Hurdle in fine style, travelling strongly to lead before two out and soon sent clear by Paul Carberry to beat Fey Macha by three lengths.
The former Ballydoyle inmate King Of Ireland finally opened his account in the two and three quarter miles handicap hurdle, leading between the final two flights to beat Torose by three and a half lengths.
"The good ground makes a big difference and we may try to win a two-mile Flat handicap with him," said trainer Michael Halford.
• Nicky Henderson could be double-handed in next Wednesday's Tote Ebor, with both Cupboard Lover and Dancing Bay on course for the York event.
Cupboard Lover is a 14 to 1 shot for the mile and six furlong contest with William Hill, while Dancing Bay is available at 20 to 1 with the same firm.
And Henderson confirmed yesterday: "Both are in good form and on course for the race." Both horses have shown the best of their form on ground that was good to soft at best and the Lambourn trainer admits both will need conditions on the Knavesmire in their favour if they are to run.
He explained: "Cupboard Lover just needs to get his toe in a teeny bit but he can run on good ground.
"Dancing Bay would need soft ground and that would be the proviso."
• Champion jockey Tony McCoy remained seven short of Richard Dunwoody's all-time record for a British jump jockey of 1,699 winners after drawing a blank from his five rides at Southwell yesterday.
McCoy rode Martin Pipe's Douceur Des Songes, the 6 to 4 favourite in the Mike Molloy Novices' Hurdle, but the combination could only manage third place behind the impressive winner Welsh Border.
Venetia Williams pulled off a shrewd purchase when snapping up Cotopaxi for 8,000gns at the Doncaster May Sales.
The former Michael-Cunningham-trained six-year-old gained his third success since under Brian Crowley in the Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap Hurdle.
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