Lean and Keen loves it round Cork

Lean And Keen finished well to take the plaudits in the two mile maiden hurdle at Cork.

Sean Byrne’s four-year-old gelding was making his debut over jumps after a career on the flat that yielded two victories (one at this track and one in Dundalk).

Davy Russell was booked for the ride today and he had his mount a close-up third at the second last flight. Coming to the final hurdle he was just behind Theos Well The latter wasn’t fluent and Russell seized his advantage as he drove Lean And Keen past him on the run-in to win by two lengths at 5/1. He had been 8/1 before racing.

Theos Well kept on for second at 2/1 while Mizyen the 13/8 favourite from 15/8 on opening show, was three and a half lengths away in third.

Sean Byrne said: “He loves this place and won here on the flat a few months ago. I was afraid he wouldn’t get two miles, but I knew he was a great and natural jumper and he has got loads of toe.

“He’ll go to Listowel if it stays dry and then he’ll have to get a break. He’s a big horse, but he can’t keep running.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes