Flanagan times it just right on Light

Sean Flanagan produced Luminous Light with a well timed challenge to land the opening Dermot Casey Tree Care Maiden Hurdle at Cork.

The Anthony McCann trained four-year-old had shown promise on occasions since switching to jumps but a tendency to race keenly had been his downfall up until now.

Flanagan settled the gelding just off the pace, before arriving travelling easily upsides leader Mighty Mo Missouri at the second last. At pains not to get there too soon, Flanagan held onto his mount for a few strides longer, before allowing him to go on approaching the last.

The eventual winner found plenty for pressure, staying on strongly to hold off second placed Mighty Mo Missouri and the running on Calico

Anthony McCann said: "the owners are the Good Counsel School in New Ross and Sean (Flanagan) went to school there. It is great to get a winner for them and the connection comes from another former pupil Jonathan Moore (jockey) who advises me."

He added "we always thought a wee bit of him and we thought maybe Mighty Mo Missouri might have got a hard race at Cheltenham and we were glad to take him on on the day.

"I think he'll handle any ground but I think he'll be better on better ground. Hopefully he can improve now and tip on.

"He had a high rating on the flat coming from Mark Johnson but I bought him (for 6,500gns) on the first day of a sale and picked up two or three nice horses that day."

Good Counsel teacher Aidan O'Brien added "as Sean (Flanagan) was a young fella I brought him on a school tour to the Aintree Grand National, which I've done with many lads from the school, and has subsequently gone back to ride in the race.

"It is particularly sweet for him to ride the winner today and Shane Foley, Donagh O'Connor and Mikey and Danny Sheehy are also all past pupils of mine."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes