Oscar Barton caused a 33/1 upset when winning the Jack Tyner Memorial Hunters Chase at Cork today, registering a first jumps winner for trainer Sam Curling, and his first since his previous win, on the Flat, three years ago.

The winner was steered by Johnny Barry and was providing Curling, son of well known equine artist and winning owner Peter Curling, with his second career win, Ballachroy having provided the trainer with his initial winner exactly three years earlier in a Flat handicap at Clonmel and Curling commented “he scoped badly after he ran last and the better ground made all the difference. Like all of mine, he could end up (at the sales) in Doncaster but he also has the option of running at Punchestown. I'm delighted for Johnny (Barry) who works for me and deserved that win.”

The race also featured Mossey Joe but the high profile hunter chaser and 4/9 favourite faded badly in the closing stages for a disappointing third.

By Thomas Weekes