Corbetts Cross

Corbetts Cross ran out an impressive winner of the three-mile handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday. Settled in fourth place early on by Maxine O’Sullivan, he moved up nicely on the outside as they raced towards the third last flight. He touched down over that obstacle in a share of the lead, he travelled well around the home turn, moved to the front on the run to the second last, and stayed on well over the last two flights to come clear of his rivals. He won by six lengths in the end, but he left the impression that he had much more in hand than that.

Winner of his point-to-point last February and winner of his bumper on his debut this season at Cork in October, Eugene O’Sullivan’s horse stayed on well to win his maiden hurdle over two miles and five furlongs at Limerick over Christmas, when he beat Seabank Bistro – fourth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last March – into second place, with the pair of them clear. He probably improved for that experience, and for the step up to three miles on Saturday, when he was racing in Paul Byrne’s colours for the first time, and there is every chance that he will improve again now. The handicapper raised him by 13lb to a mark of 143 for Saturday’s win, but it was just his third race over hurdles, so he has bundles of potential for progression. His new handicap rating could still under-estimate him, and he will be of interest when he steps up in grade now.
Fairyhouse, 14^th January 2023