And the Oscar goes to Paddy

Paddy The Oscar attracted support from 12/1 into 8/1 in the Ballycahill Beginners Chase, and the confidence proved well-placed as the nine-year-old scored in fine style.

The fourth last and second last where both omitted in this three-miler due to earlier casualties, and the Sean Flanagan-ridden winner was well in command in the straight to record a 16 lengths victory over the always prominent West Cork Flash (16/1). Big Game Hunter an easy-to-back 11/4 joint favourite, was unable to stay with the pace in the final half mile and finished another six and a half lengths back in third.

The lightly-raced son of Oscar is trained at Dungourney in East Cork by Denis Ahern, and previously won a point-to-point at Avaune.

Ahern said, “He won his point and a run over hurdles recently helped to sharpen him up. He’d a great run here last year over fences and today was his day.

“It was probably not the greatest race in the world but we’ll see what handicap mark he gets. He won’t run on fast ground.”