The O'Connell Transport Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle looked a match between Pomme Tiepy and Western Charmer but after getting a result in the opener with Blaise Hollow the layers again had reason to smile as the local horses, The Bishop Looney and Part Presenting fought out the finish, the former prevailing by two lengths under Tom Doyle.
This was a huge win for a Killavullen handler, Tom Nagle, who got the Cork National in the steward's room with Alickadoo on the 2nd of November. The Bishop Looney led before two out and then ran on strongly to fend off Part Presenting and Pomme Tiepy. Western Charmer was held in fourth place when running out before the last.
Nagle said: "That was a fierce performance. When I saw the entries I was in two minds about running but Tom Doyle encouraged me to run. There is a novice in Naas early in the new year (the Slaney Hurdle) and he might go for that. I doubt he'll run at Christmas."
Cashmans go 16/1 The Bishop Looney for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. (EM)
