Akin goes one place better twelve months on First-time blinkered Akinspirit recorded his eighth career victory as he took the Cork Handicap Hurdle with ease for the father and son team of trainer Michael and rider Mikey Butler. The 8yo son of Invincible Spirit has been a great servant to connections and was recording his second success over hurdles this afternoon adding to his six victories on the level. Having finished second in this contest last year behind Bachelor Affair he managed to go one place better twelve months on. Waited with well off the pace towards the rear early on he closed up to track the leaders from before the fourth last. He travelled well before the straight and hit the front at the third last before going clear and staying on well to record a very easy four and a half length success. Tellhereimnothere finished second for John Joe Walsh and Ambrose McCurtin also at 5/1 while Echo Bob was a further six and a half lengths back in third under Mark Enright for Henry De Bromhead at 7/2. The 3/1 favourite Our Nana Rose finished a three parts of a length back in fourth for Pat Martin and Ger Fox. Winning trainer Michael Butler said afterwards: "That was a very average contest for that standard. "If this bad weather continues we will have to give him a break. He is a summer horse and Mikey (winning rider) said he didn’t handle the ground." (On-course reporting by Thomas Weekes)
