O'Leary sends Bunyan a Real Force

Real Force bounced back to winning ways on his first start for Darren Bunyan in the five-furlong handicap at Cork.

He switched to Bunyan from Ger O'Leary who recently retired from training.

Jockey-change Yudish Geerdharry rode him to close at the furlong pole and the grey gelding really found his stride to surge into the lead in the closing stages.

He came in by a comfortable two and a-half lengths at 18/1 from gambled-on Dun Na Sead (13/2 - 7/2f). Hurricane Ivor was a head back in third at 18/1.

Bunyan said: "He is probably better over six (furlongs) but can go seven also. I had him in the five and the seven today and I thought with the heavier ground that this race would suit as he has run a bit gassy on his first runs in the past.

"He will improve plenty for this run as he was short two or three bits of work. 

"The plan for him and Pretty Rebel who was third in the earlier Listed race, is for both to be sent to France in a few weeks. I think they will do very well over there and I'm hoping to run them a couple of times for the three weeks they'll be there.

"There is a really nice programme for those horses and today was a building block for that."

He added: "I'm very appreciative of Ger (O'Leary, owner and previous trainer) to send them to me as these are the horse you want which can take you places. 

"When Ger retired from training, he sent me a number of horses and I'm training across from him on the Curragh and there is a long, old family connection. We are lifelong friends and this is a great start."

This was Real Force's fourth career success, all on ground with cut in it.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes