Oneeightofamile put in a lovely display of fast fluent hurdling under David Splaine in the J.P. McManus Hurdle at Cork to maintain the excellent run of his trainer John Kiely. Unfortunately his chief rival Won In The Dark under-performed finishing last of the four runners.
Market leader when failing to get in a blow in the big amateur handicap at Galway just a week ago, Oneeightofamile was allowed bowl along with a circuit to go in this two and a quarter miler and De Valira was the only one in with a chance of getting to him over the final three flights. His hopes were short-lived and Splaine's mount eventually crossed the line five lengths to the good.
Kiely said: "He's very consistent and he was unlucky in Galway. Stalls were completely new to him and he just walked out. It is very hard to make up the ground there when that happens.
"It is great that he recovered well enough to come here. He'll have to stay in conditions hurdles as he can't give weight away. He'll probably have to go chasing when we run out of options."
Meanwhile Sabrina Harty, trainer of Won In The Dark, said: "We'll have to get him scoped and see what turns-up. That is not his form."
Davy Russell, rider of Won In The Dark, gave up his mount in the following race on Adropaupep as he was feeling unwell.
Paul Townend deputised on that grey.
