Confidence in Sheer Bravado was on the money at Cork today as the long-absent gelding landed a gamble (16s to 13/2) for a notable training success by Sean Aherne in the Mallow Handicap Hurdle.

Rated 92 when completing a Flat hat-trick in 2020 for trainer Jim Bolger, the son of Fracas had a long losing spell for four other trainers before returning from 642 days off today, debuting for Aherne with form figures of '00009090/'.

Ridden by Philip Enright, the six-year-old, which opened 40/1 yesterday, made all and gave supporters few concerns beating Mr MacPhisto comfortably.

Aherne reported “he had 3lb more on the flat and his form at home was very good. I was happy to see the rain which took the sting out of the ground and made it ideal so we thought he should have been competitive.”

He added “I was always happy, he got a good run around and jumped and settled well. He got a bit of a solo out in front and it allowed him to settle which was one concern but it made sure he settled.

“Thank God his owner Joe Taylor is patient with me as I have him nearly 12 months but slight little niggly things kept holding him up. He was fair enough to give me the rope to be patient though.”

Aherne and Boston-based construction worker Taylor combined for a similar success, but at 40/1, with Champagne Auction at today's venue in October 2022, which also debuted for the trainer.