Early strike in new year for Liam Burke as trainer dedicates win to late owner

Saturday: Cork

Rebel Early was very much on one of her going days for Liam Burke when landing the feature 2m4f handicap hurdle on Cork's first fixture of the new year, with rider Darragh O'Keeffe sporting the colours of long-time stable patrons, the Simply The Best Syndicate.

The daughter of Mountain High did enough once getting to the front before the last as she scored by a cosy five lengths from the front-running Carrigeen Lotus.

The late Jerry Nolan, long-time owner and head of the syndicate, who passed away last month, was very much on Burke's mind after the race.

He said: "Jerry was a brilliant man for me. He had been with me since 1986 and was my backbone all the time. He had Thyne Again with me, who won the Arkle at Leopardstown and took us to Cheltenham. It's a shame that he's not with us here today, but that's it."

About the mare, he added: "She ran a stinker the last day, but Darragh gets a great tune out of her.

"There's a handicap at Gowran on Thyestes day which she won before and we might go there again."

Coopers combine with Dancing Jeremy

There was no easier winner on the day than Dancing Jeremy, who made light of a 14-month absence to bolt up in the 2m4f beginners' chase.

The Frank Reynolds-owned gelding was having his first run for trainer Tom Cooper and was an armchair ride for his son Bryan.

Dancing Jeremy and Bryan Cooper win the 2m4f beginners' chaseCredit: Patrick McCann

First to congratulate the trainer was Derek O'Connor, and Cooper snr was quick to credit the champion point-to-point rider for his part in this success.

He said: "He has been off a long time, and I must give credit to Derek, who did a pile of work with him and he did a great job. I've just had him a couple of months and finished it off.

"I had him in at Limerick, but I just thought after a long time off that the ground here might be less tough and that this race would suit him. He was winging fences like a handicapper in a beginners'. We'll look forward now and hopefully his pins stay sound."

Shock as 1-4 Adamantly is turned over

After Kilcruit was beaten at 1-14 here last month, another Willie Mullins hotpot was turned over in a maiden hurdle at this venue, although 1-4 shot Adamantly Chosen went down with his honour a little more intact in the 2m maiden hurdle.

The son of Well Chosen and Danny Mullins were not quite able to give 13lb to the Gordon Elliott-trained four-year-old hurdles newcomer Ebasari, who had to find all the way to the line to score by three parts of a length. The pair pulled 27 lengths clear of the opposition to show that they are probably two good horses.

Winning rider Davy Russell said of Ebasari: "He had schooled well at home and he handled the ground well. He has a nice way of jumping, too, as we needed to meet the last two on a good stride and he did. Hopefully he can step up again."

Results, replays and analysis

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