Curragh trainer James Nash and Rachael Blackmore successfully teamed up for the first time as Snapius got on top close home to land the Welcome To Student Raceday 2023 Maiden Hurdle at Cork.

The Buratino gelding won twice on the Flat for Joseph O’Brien and made use of his previous experience over hurdles under a patient ride.

Blackmore waited until after the last before really asking for an effort and the 100/30 chance kept on best to get the better of 5/6 favourite Calico by half-a-length. Carslake was a further two lengths back in third.

Nash said, “He got a great ride as I told Rachael he wouldn't like the ground but I hoped he might be quicker than the others, and she obviously took that on board. She said he jumped great and that's her first winner for me.

“It was a weak enough race but coming down the road you couldn't be confident with a horse who wants good ground. Maybe it is so wet though that it is probably loose - they seemed to gallop away through it.

“We bought him in a claimer (for €20,000) and we were happy the whole way through but he never turned up at Haydock the last day. I had four or five juveniles and wanted to use him to get a line through the other ones but he ran terribly on the day.

“He will run through the summer and mix hurdling with the Flat."

Quotes by Tom Weekes