RACING: There appears to be a slight improvement in the condition of Kieran Kelly, who remains on a life-support machine following a heavy fall at Kilbeggan.

The jump jockey is in intensive care at Dublin's Beaumont Hospital with serious head injuries after his fall from Balmy Native in the Joe Cooney Memorial Handicap Chase last Friday.

Kelly's boss, trainer Dessie Hughes, visited the jockey last night.

"There seemed to be a slight improvement this evening compared to his condition yesterday," said Hughes.

"We are hoping now that this keeps going the right way for Kieran."

Kelly, who is stable jockey to Hughes, was kicked on the head in the fall at the fifth-last fence and Balmy Native then rolled on top of him.

The paramedics were quickly on the scene and he was rushed to Tullamore Hospital before being transferred to Beaumont.

Meanwhile, the Noel Meade-trained Instan proved to be a smooth winner of the opening maiden hurdle at Cork last night. The Paul Carberry-ridden winner beat Lord Rozz by four lengths and he will continue to be campaigned on fast ground.

Carberry and Meade were back in the winner's enclosure following the novice chase as Fable effortlessly dispensed with Tuba by four lengths.

Eoin Griffin saddled his eighth winner of the season when Golden Beacon led from the final fence to beat Just For Fun in the beginners chase.

Derek O'Connor forfeited his 7lb claim by guiding Pat Hughes' top-weight Theseus to victory in the Shreelawn Oil (QR) Handicap Chase.

Louisa Williams recorded her sixth career success by landing the closing Conna (Pro-Am) Flat Race on the Charlie Swan-trained Innisfree.