Watch The Weather made an impressive start in handicaps when storming clear under Rachael Blackmore to take the Kanturk Handicap Hurdle at Cork.

The Ray Cody-trained gelding made good headway to lead after the penultimate flight and soon took control to beat The Big Chap by seven lengths with Sean Says a half-length back in third. Sargent Lightfoot completed the places a further length and a half back in fourth.

Cody said of the 10/1 shot, “I was worried coming here if the ground turned soft but Rachael said early in the day that the ground was good so we said we’d let him take his chance.

“On his first handicap I didn’t think he would do that. He’s probably not too badly handicapped and I’m thrilled with him. His jumping was always good but I just thought going that stride quicker might find him out.

“He’s in at Wexford on Friday and if he’s ok I’d say we’ll have to run him.”