Immutable opens hurdling account in Cork opener

Immutable came with a well-timed surge to lead on the run-in and claim the opening juvenile maiden hurdle at Cork this afternoon. Jeaniemacaroney cut out the running in the two-miler and was followed through at the second last by the Joe Murphy-trained gelding.

The 7/2 shot still had a few lengths to find before the final flight but a better jump there propelled him into a challenging position and he soon hit the front under Danny Mullins to secure a length-and-a-half win.

It was a second outing over timber for the Muhaarar gelding, who had been a well-beaten fifth in a conditions event at Fairyhouse in January.

The trainer's son Joe junior said afterwards:- "Over the winter we had dreams of him ending up in Cheltenham, in the Fred Winter possibly, but we were very disappointed with his run in Fairyhouse and gave him a little break.

"He’s obviously a nice horse on the flat and hopefully will progress away in this grade. We have no plans as to where we’ll go now, but Galway or Listowel would be big on the agenda.

"We’ll be looking for a good handicap on the flat for him but really it will be autumn for some of the nice staying handicaps, and we’ll tip away with him over hurdles for the summer. Aintree might suit him, but we’ll see as he’s a relatively inexperienced horse."

"He’ll definitely improve for today's run."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)