Joe Fogarty, on the mark with Gentleman Jim at Punchestown on New Year's Eve, obviously has his team in good form at present as Black Benny became another result for the bookmakers in the concluding Holycross Irish National Hunt Flat Race at Thurles.

On a day when a 33/1, a 14/1 shot and no favourite had gone in, Black Benny, a 20/1 chance in a first-time tongue-tie, cruised up to the leaders from before the straight under Roger Quinlan and he stayed on well to beat the well-fancied and promising newcomer Flycorn

Fogarty, who stands Black Benny's sire Close Conflict, at his Kilfeacle Stud in County Tipperary, said: "He inhaled mud at Clonmel the last day and didn't travel afterwards. We always knew he was a good horse and he'll go hurdling now."