Articulum shrugged aside a 571 day lay-off to impressively score on attempt number one over flights in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at Cork.

The point-to-point and dual bumper scorer left his rivals for dead up the straight in the two miler.

In the end the Terence O'Brien-trained seven-year-old came home with no less than thirty five lengths to spare in the hands of David Splaine. Itsonlyrocknroll filled the second spot.

"He had a suspensory problem last autumn and we had to just have him on the walker until Christmas and cantering in the spring. We let him off for the summer and had this race targeted for the last six or eight weeks. He'd been well in himself but I still thought he would come on for the run," revealed O'Brien.

"I'm thrilled with that and he's put plenty of daylight between himself and some decent horses. We can dream again and the owners have been fantastic. They are three guys based in London and they have been so patient and just told me to do what I want to do with him.

"I'm surprised with that to be honest and would have been happy if he'd finished in the first three. The deeper the ground the better for him. I always thought he needed a trip but on heavy ground two miles is okay."

A.E. Lynch, rider of Dicey O'reilly trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount choked.

C.D. Maxwell, rider of Rossmore's Pride trained by Christian Delcros, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left down the back straight.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Dicey O'reilly, trained by Henry de Bromhead, at the request of the Stewards and reported that the animal made an abnormal respiratory noise when examined post race.

(AM & EM)