Monsoon takes out Insurance Hurdle

Indian Monsoon wasn't long about putting the McCarthy Insurance Group Rated Novice Hurdle to bed once taking over from the front-running Vinnie Luck from the third last. A nice ex-Qatar Racing/Al Shaqab and Michael Stoute Flat performer, the Monsun gelding was here landing the Cork spoils for Charles Byrnes and Davy Russell.

Indian Monsoon (9/4) was second favourite behind Veinard (7/4). The market-leader still had a squeak two out but he was making no impression when a slight mistake at the last saw him soon one-paced in a seven length second place.

"Santa didn't come to me over Christmas - he forgot all about me! He is no world-beater but he loves the ground and that's the key to him," said Byrnes.

"He ran well in Limerick but the second horse was a bit of a puzzle (50/1 runner-up Surf Instructor) and he'll probably have to go for a handicap next. There isn't much of a programme in the novice department for that type of horse."

(TW & EM)