O'Neill seals first success through Sondheim

Sondheim kept on well for 10lb-claimer Neve Bennett to just fend off No Patience and another 10lb-claimer Kyanna Van Buuren in the concluding seven furlong handicap at Cork.

This was trainer Craig O'Neill breakthrough success and Bennett's second winner.

Sondheim and No Patience worked their way to the front of this massive field on the approach to the final furlong and it was Sondheim who lead narrowly flashing past the '1' pole.

No Patience kept going, though, and forced the photo as he tried hard to get on terms with Sondheim.

Sondheim was confirmed the winner by a short head at 28/1 from the 9/1 runner-up. Golden Days 9/2 favourite, finished well to be a close up third (beaten just over a length). She was a length and a quarter clear of 66/1 shot Cheeky Peek

O'Neill, on lead-up duty, said "I'm from Kildare and am based on the Curragh, I have my licence two years and he is the only horse I have and I haven't had many runners.

"I always wanted to do it (train) so I just went ahead and did it.

"I was with Bill Farrell and with John O'Donoghue and I was in England with Richard Spencer. I've been around a bit.

"I work full-time in John O'Donoghue's and do him (Sondheim)in the mornings before I go to work and in the evenings afterwards. He's the only one I have.

"It is just a hobby at the minute for the minute and then hopefully we will see how it goes."

Jockey Bennett, partner of the winning trainer, added: "he is the only horse we have and Craig is looking to get a few more. He is on the Curragh and does well with them and is patient.

"He is a grand little horse, travelled well and I was delighted with him.

"He had run well at Dundalk and I wasn't sure if he was happy on the grass. I said to Craig my hope was to get him back to Dundalk but he has proved me wrong!"

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes