Sublimity battles to Cork victory

The veterans battled it out in the McCarthy Insurance Group Hurdle at Cork with the former Champion Hurdler getting the better of the former Champion Chaser in a thrilling finish to the two-mile contest. Sublimity successful at Cheltenham in 2007, was sent off 11/10 to gain his first victory since claiming the Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown just over two years ago.

Robbie Hennessy 's stable stalwart had to work to beat Newmill however, after the 2006 Queen Mother Chase winner ran a cracker on his first start for rookie trainer James Dullea.

Eddie Power set the pace on habitual front-runner Newmill but he looked a sitting duck as Sublimity loomed large going to the second last.

Andrew Lynch had to get serious on the favourite to take a narrow lead at the last and he just always had the upperhand on the run-in to score by half a length. On The Way Out sent off 5/4 second favourite, had cried enough before the penutimate flight while outsider Run For Sol struggled in this company.

"Today was one of my best successes despite having won a Grade One," said Hennessy afterwards.

"It's nearly as good as winning at Cheltenham as he had a bad suspensory injury last year and we weren't sure if he would run again.

"It's great to get that out of the way. Beforehand on all ratings he had to be nearly a good thing but there is no such thing in racing.

"These type of races are his future. There is a race at Naas in a few weeks for him (Limestone Lad Hurdle) although it's over 2m3f. The Irish Champion Hurdle is also a possibility."

James Dullea was also delighted with the effort of Newmill, who showed that the old spark is still there:-

"He ran a cracker and we're over the moon with him. We know now he's not over the top.

"He'll mix it between hurdles and fences and the Kinloch Brae at Thurles (January 27th) is next for him."

Gary Carson