VAL De Ferbet's victory in the Suir Valley Chase completed a Clonmel double for Andrew McNamara.

Gold Cup-winning jockey Robbie Power was positive from the outset and his mount had My Murphy for company, with the pair clear of the remaining three runners. Val De Ferbet (2/1) steadily turned the screw to get My Murphy in trouble, and he was slick over the last couple of fences, which helped seal a 13-length verdict.

McNamara said: "The original plan was to go to Thurles for a hurdle race at the weekend but I entered for this also. He isn't an exceptional jumper but I thought this was worth a go and we may now have a look at the Thurles race also.

"His jumping was as good as I've ever had him put in and I'd be lost without Dillon (Maxwell) who helps with his schooling - hopefully someone doesn't rob him off me now! "

Maxwell rode his first ever winner when driving out McNamara's Stay With It (9/2) to claim the Vee Handicap Hurdle. The young claimer was only just denied on the 10-year-old at Punchestown last month, but produced him with a perfectly-timed challenge here to beat Fridaynightlights by four lengths.

"On his last run you'd have to give him a fair shout. He's the stable pet, is an absolute gent of a horse and has been in the frame for us plenty times but that's his first time getting his head in front," said McNamara.

"It's great for Dillon, who works in the yard with us and is a brilliant fellow to have and is a great worker, and as you can tell from that, he is well able to ride too."

LALOR DOUBLE

Liz Lalor saddled a welcome winner when Nicat's Benefit took the Ardfinnan Maiden Hurdle. The 2/1 shot travelled really well and demonstrated an impressive turn of foot between the final couple of flights to account for Soul Kailber by six and a half lengths.

"She was due her turn as she's a consistent little mare and is tough. She is consistent but just met a few too good for her in the past," said Lalor.

"I always thought she wanted better ground but she is handling the softer ground now and with maturity and strength, she is getting better."

Lalor was also on the mark when De Rasher Counter came home a good winner of the Clonmel Flat Race at odds of 10/1.

Flynsini's (7/1) only previous victory came in a Down Royal hunter chase back in March 2015, but he proved too strong in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase, running out a 13-length victor in the hands of J J Slevin.

TWO MORE FOR ELLIOTT

Gordon Elliott's brilliant run of form shows no sign of coming to an end and he registered a double at Clonmel through Third Opinion and Strike Is Back.

Having his first run since May 2015, since when he has left Tom Taaffe, Third Opinion (12/1) was in the process of tackling Knockraha Boss for the lead when that one took a crashing fall at the penultimate obstacle. Third Opinion then only had to clear the last and although he wasn't exactly fluent, he got to the other side and handed out a 22-length beating to Game Puppeteer.

Winning jockey Jack Kennedy, who also enjoyed a brace, said: "I didn't know much about the horse before today but he did it very well and I thought I had Paul (Townend on Knockraha Boss) covered when he fell at the second-last. He'll definitely improve fitness-wise and hopefully will progress now."

The decision to turn Saturday's Limerick runner-up Strike Is Back out quickly paid dividends in the Goatenbridge Maiden Hurdle. The 10/11 favourite challenged Born To Size for the lead at the second-last and then shot clear to pass the post with six lengths in hand of Beginningtogetup.

Kennedy said: "She got in a bit deep to the second-last but picked up well and jumped the last very well and stayed going. She was a small bit keen over further the last day and dropping back to two miles today, she travelled away and wasn't doing too much and it suited her lovely."

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