Pound A Stroke proved very popular with the many students on track at Cork this afternoon as he justified heavy support with an ultra-gutsy performance under top-weight in the CIT Raise And Give Handicap Hurdle.

The Eoin McCarthy-trained gelding was making a quick reappearance after finishing third at Wexford last Saturday, and adopted his usual front-running tactics in this two-mile event.

However 25/1 chance I’m Serious threw down a powerful challenge early in the straight and the pair settled down to fight out a pulsating finish.

Kevin Brouder ’s mount just proved the stronger in the closing stages as the 6/4 favourite (available at 7/2 earlier in the day) prevailed by half a length.

The pair stretched right away with Moll Dote finishing all of 16 lengths back in third.