Maxwell savours Cork National success aboard Sphagnum

Sphagnum clung on to provide conditional rider Dillon Maxwell with a day to remember in the Paddy Power Cork Grand National Handicap Chase.

Trained by Shane Broderick, the seven-year-old was an 8-1 chance under the 7lb claimer at Listed level over a three-mile-four-furlong trip.

Always prominent and travelling sweetly, Sphagnum took up the lead with four obstacles to jump.

The chasing pack did begin to close in on him but he was unwilling to be passed, hanging on to prevail by just a short head on the line from Positive Thinker.

“The plan was to get a lead until maybe the second-last or last, so the line wasn’t coming quick enough!” said Maxwell.

“We always knew he’d stay as he loves the trip and the longer the trip the better. He’ll stay all day long.

“He disappointed the last day but had infection in his lungs so had an excuse and he was right for today. He made one slight mistake but winged almost everything.

“It was good for Shane (Broderick) who is nice to me and while he only has a small team of horses, puts me up on anything he has. The lads in the yard are sound and do well with the few horses they have.

“I rarely get rides, once in a blue moon, but to get this win is something special.

“I’m from outside Mullingar and live on the farm at home, so do a bit of that and I’m nearly riding as a hobby at this stage.”

Henry de Bromhead’s Gorgeous Tom could be set for bigger things after landing the Grade Three Paddy Power Betting Shops Irish EBF Novice Chase under Darragh O’Keeffe as the 13-8 favourite.

After falling last time, he bounced back to secure a five-and-a-half-length victory and a step up in level could now await.

“Obviously he had a mishap in Tipperary which was frustrating, but he was back on track there and Darragh was brilliant on him,” said De Bromhead.

“He came well recommended and while he wasn’t a bad hurdler either, we hoped he’d step forward for a fence.

“There is the Drinmore for him so we’ll see and enjoy today.”

Oscars Brother was a popular winner of the Paddy Power “How Many Days ‘Til Christmas?” Irish EBF Novice Hurdle.

The gelding, aptly trained and ridden respectively by brothers Connor and Daniel, was a 5-1 chance and strode to a two-length victory at Listed level ahead of Willie Mullins’ Paggane.

“I’m delighted to have got off the mark and for everyone involved and the horse got a great ride from Dan,” the trainer said.

“It is my home track as I’m from 15 minutes down the road although I’m based in Golden, County Tipperary.

“I did the trainers’ course around Cheltenham time this year and I’ve had one other Flat runner, along with this horse. I have three riding out but just him to run until Christmas time. I’ll concentrate on my own horses for the time being and see how it goes.

“I rode a four-timer here in 2013 which seems a long time ago and it was always a lucky track for me, so I love coming here.”

He added: “This horse is a novice until December so things will get tough for him, although whatever he does over hurdles is a bonus as he will be a good chaser. I might look at a three-mile handicap hurdle around Christmas but today had been his target for a while.

“I found the race hard to watch as I was quite nervous and think it is easier to ride them – I’ll leave that to Dan as he is doing a good job.”

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