JOCKEY Bryan Cooper and owners Gigginstown House Stud combined to land a double at Clonmel. The first leg was provided by Clara Sorrento, who showed improved form to break through in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle.

Not bad in bumpers but well held on his two previous starts over timber, the Noel Meade-trained 9/1 shot took the lead off Without Limites at the second-last. Cooper kept him up to his work to succeed by four lengths, with Willie Mullins' odds-on favourite Sharps Choice fading disappointingly into fourth.

Cooper said: "He jumped well and they went a nice gallop. Brian (O'Connell on Without Limites) tried to force it but I knew my lad had a bit of speed and tried to save him as long as I could. He'll make a lovely chaser in time."

Monbeg Chit Chat completed a double for Cooper and owners Gigginstown House Stud when landing the odds in the Lisronagh Maiden Hurdle.

Henry de Bromhead's 1/5 favourite went clear with main market rival Give Battle with just under a circuit to travel and after seeing off that one, had enough in reserve to repel the late threat of Chatham Street Lad by two and three-quarter lengths.

De Bromhead said: "I was hoping he could reproduce his run here the last day and he did. He's improving with every run. Bryan thought he's still a bit babyish and should make a lovely chaser next year.

"We'll look for one of those rated novice hurdles. There is one at Limerick on March 30th, and I wouldn't mind stepping him up in trip as well. He seems to like that really heavy ground."

WINNING FAVOURITE

Maguire's Glen was another winning favourite, landing the Kilsheelan Handicap Chase at 3/1. Liz Doyle's charge quickened to the front after two out and kept going to deny Black Zero by a length.

Doyle said: "The extra few furlongs suited and he deserved that. He was never right last year, and has taken time to come right. It's been three years since he's won, and he might be sold now."

Goulane Chosen finally got off the mark over fences with a comprehensive victory in the Slievenamon Rated Novice Chase at.

Without a win in 15 previous attempts over the larger obstacles and failing to get round on his most recent two, the 7/2 shot was always prominent in a leading group of three and soon found himself at the head of affairs.

Kilcarry Bridge emerged from the pack to thrown down the most serious challenge, while favourite Double Island departed when beaten at the last, but Goulane Chosen was never in any danger and crossed the line with 15 lengths in hand.

Trainer David McGrath said: "He'd good form but just lost his way a bit. We decided to take the bull by the horns today and see what he'd do. He deserved one. He went a good gallop on that ground, and had the other horses in trouble. I suppose the end justifies the means!"

MARE'S QUICK DOUBLE

Peace N'Milan registered her second victory in less than a week in the Carrick-On-Suir Mares Handicap Hurdle.

Sent off the 11/8 favourite just five days on from her Fairyhouse success, and with her welter burden of 12st 1lb reduced slightly by Ricky Doyle's claim, Fran Flood's six-year-old closed the gap on leader Zipporah by the second-last and, although not exactly fluent at either of the final couple of flights, came home three and three-quarter lengths to the good.

Flood said: "We'll aim for something in a few weeks' time. There is a race in Naas (March 12th) but it probably comes a bit quick. We'll see how she is but she is tough and likes that ground."

Returntovendor and For Carmel went head to head for much of the straight in the Comeragh Handicap Hurdle, both having the lead at some point after the last, but 7/1 shot Returntovendor had his head down where it mattered and got the verdict for Jarlath Fahey and Ian McCarthy.

There was a tight finish in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Flat Race, with Nun's Cross (14/1) getting the better of the argument by half a length from Nicat's Benefit.

READ THE FULL CLONMEL REPORT IN THE IRISH FIELD