Emcon sticks to her task well

Emcon (7/1) came out best in a driving finish to the two and a half mile handicap hurdle in Cork.

Kevin Sexton had her in third rounding the home turn behind Another Rebel and Definite Soldier

She soon came off the bridle but it didn't stop her momentum as she jumped the third last in second behind Another Rebel.

Sexton's mount took over from Another Rebel after the second last but the sweet-travelling Cliff House came to tackle her at the final hurdle.

Emcon got away from it well though and knuckled down to see off fast-finishing Oiche Mhaith Boy (6/1) by a neck. Cliff House (9/1) was the same distance away in third.

Handler Willie Austin said: “My horses ran so badly during the week that we didn’t know what to expect. She likes it here and likes soft ground. She looked beaten a few times but kept pulling out a bit more.

“It’s very important for these mares to get some black type and hopefully she can get some.”

The seven-year-old mare is owned by his brother Thomas.

Emcon has now won six races - three of which came in Cork.

A major gamble was foiled on Another Rebel who was 14/1 in the morning before being backed right down to 7/2 favourite. He came home sixth after weakening out of the lead after the penultimate hurdle.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee