HENRY de Bromhead’s good form of the week continued when he recorded a treble at Clonmel on Thursday evening.
Trasna Na Pairce was the first to visit the winners’ enclosure when making all under Darragh O’Keeffe to land the Aisling Kennedy Memorial (C & G) Maiden Hurdle.
Sent off 10/11 favourite, the gelding carried the colours of the Off Ramp Syndicate to a comfortable five-length success. De Bromhead said: “He is a lovely horse, Gerry Hogan recommended him from Pat Doyle’s and he is owned by a new syndicate to the game, so I’m delighted for them. He likes that good ground.
“Rachael gave him a lovely spin in Kilbeggan last month, where he ran well and he probably came on from that. My plan was always to get to a fence sooner rather than later.”
Adaliz brought up a quick double for the stable when winning the Tote Never Beaten By SP Handicap Hurdle.
Ridden by Mike O’Connor, the 25/1 chance got up right on the line to score by a head for owners Syndicates Racing.
De Bromhead commented: “I’m delighted for the syndicate as I thought we were finishing up with her after this evening, although I actually thought we were finished after her previous run! They were happy to go again and fair play to John (Burke) and Jack (Cantillon), who head the syndicate.
“There is a lady involved in the syndicate, Pauline, and it’s the first time she has ever come racing so that’s what we want, and I’m gonna bring her everywhere now!” Regarding Adaliz, he added “She was brilliant, really stayed on in the end and she has a good pedigree.”
Tigress for the treble
De Bromhead brought up his treble when Belle The Tigress justified 8/11 favouritism in the Clonmel Racecourse Supporters Club Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.
Ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe, who was registering a double on the card, the grey led early in the straight, before keeping on strongly to win by four and three-quarter lengths.
The winning trainer reported: “It has been a brilliant day and I’m delighted for Michelle (Doyle) and Sean (Barton), who own her. She was really good, jumped the few hurdles really well and I thought Darragh gave her a super ride.
“She is still a bit of a baby to be honest, and will improve plenty for that. We’ll keep her going, good ground definitely helps her and I’d say she will stay a trip in time.”
EXPOUND followed up a flat win at Ballinrobe earlier in the week when making most under Daniel King to land the featured Tote Guarantee Available On Course & Tote.ie Handicap Hurdle.
Sent off 11/2, the Corner House Syndicate-owned gelding kept on well to win by a length and three-quarters.
Winning trainer Denis Hogan said: “A lot of things were right for him today, although we were lucky we had him entered before he won on the flat at Ballinrobe. He likes good ground and the tracks which are usually good, or better.
“He was allowed to dictate, Dan was able to get a ‘fill’ and used pole position well. I knew the owners would all be here, as they are local in Tallow and they have been getting a great kick out of the horse.”
Foley winner
Patrick Foley sent out Colleen Danu to win the Talbot Hotel Clonmel Handicap Hurdle under Simon Torrens.
Owned by the Relwal Syndicate, the 6/1 chance led over two furlongs out, keeping on strongly to win by five lengths.
Foley commented: “She had a break after having a disappointing run at Cork. She is a summer filly but the ground being good-to-firm was a concern, so it is great to get the win. She is a half-sister to Absolute Notions (Grade 1-placed), so it is important breeding-wise.
“She was Michael O’Sullivan’s last winner for me and, while she isn’t the biggest filly, he couldn’t wait to get her over a fence, so we have that option down the line.”
Voice sounds out for Cleary
VOICE Of Reason gave young Paddy Cleary the second winner of his career when staying on best to take the opening Clonmel Racecourse Supporters Club Claiming Hurdle.
Trained by Gordon Elliott, the 10/1 chance found plenty in the straight to run out an easy four-and-three-quarter-length winner for the Cullentra House Stable Staff Syndicate. Voice Of Reason was subsequently claimed for €4,000 by William Delahunty.
Winning rider Cleary reported: “I spoke to Gordon beforehand and he said to change it up and make plenty use of him. Colin Keane had won on him on the flat by riding him that way. I’m delighted with him, he was very good and loved the ground. He was gutsy between the second-last and last. I had my first winner, for Gordon, 10 days ago and hopefully I can keep building through the summer. Thanks very much to Gordon and his staff, who own this horse.”
Elliott bookended the card when sending out Carsons Dreamboat to win the concluding John Walsh (Mainstown) Memorial Flat Race. Under Harry Swan, the well-backed 11/4 favourite (from 10/1), led under two out, before quickening away to score by 15 lengths for Pioneer Racing. Swan reported: “I was happy with her and she is quite a big filly, who has probably just taken time. She is still plenty raw, so there is room for improvement.”