Paul Carberry came in for a good spare ride on The Boat People (14/1) at Cork as the pair held on in a driving finish to the two mile three handicap hurdle.

Carberry made all on the Henry de Bromhead-trained six-year-old, but looked like he would be collared by Masked Phantom and Slippers Madden when jumping the last.

After a prolonged battle, The Boat People on the inside prevailed by a nose from Masked Phantom (16/1) who could never quite get on top.

20/1 shot Maid Of Malabar and David Spaine were back in third in the 15-runner race.

Andrew Lynch was due to ride The Boat People and Henry de Bromhead commented: “Andrew had a fall yesterday at Cheltenham and is very tender and sore. He landed on the same leg that he broke before. He felt he wouldn’t do his rides justice today.”

On The Boat People de Bromhead said: “I told Paul to jump off fifth or sixth, but he didn’t listen to that. They were going no gallop so he was in the right place and maybe it was all for luck as he could have been brought down by that faller early on [Plan In Action who fell at the fourth].

“He had a great run in Tramore at the start of the summer, but then he got a bit sore with a splint problem. Then for some reason he got very upset at Kilbeggan and had to be withdrawn.

“He wouldn’t want the ground too soft or heavy and he’ll make a nice chaser in time. He’s owned by a great bunch of lads in Dublin (Mowog Syndicate). They’ve been with me quite a while.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)