Ricky Bobby (14/1) got off the mark today at Cork as the John Joe Walsh trained gelding landed the Mallow Handicap Hurdle for jockey Ambrose McCurtin and his brother, owner Raymond McCurtin.

The son of Elusive Pimpernel was today making his handicap debut, improved to lead travelling well jumping the second last, and on the run-in held off runner-up Rock On Seamie by a length and a half.

Afterwards Walsh's son and assistant Brendan Walsh said “he was third in Clonmel (in March) but was a little bit disappointing all along. We ran him on the flat the last day and I'd say he came to hand on the better ground today.

“He'll run away in those kind of races and is a big horse who would like a big galloping track. We'll let him get over this now.

“He is owned by Ambrose's brother Raymond, from Fermoy.”