Harsh cosy winner of Cork opener

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Harsh ran out a cosy winner of the opener at Cork this afternoon.

Having gone to post a 2/5 shot the Gigginstown gelding sat behind the leaders in the two-miler before taking closer order up the back straight.

Jack Kennedy sent his mount up to dispute two from home and despite an untidy leap there he soon hit the front.

The Dark Angel gelding quickened away before the last and produced a fine leap there to propel him to an easy eight-length success over the front-running Evening's Empire

Harsh, who had a career high mark of 84 on the Flat, had been third on his jumping debut at Punchestown 15 days ago.

Kennedy was riding just his third winner for O'Brien and said afterwards:-

"His last jump was his best and it took him a while to warm into it. Some horses don't really take to those rubber hurdles but he is a nice horse.

"He is learning away the whole time and it was probably a good race he finished third in at Punchestown. It was nice to get today done."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)