JOSH Williamson rode his first double since turning professional. Chanceawetmorning was the highlight of that brace when staying on best close home to win the featured Clonmel Racecourse Supporters Club Handicap Hurdle.

Victorious on his stable debut for Gordon Elliott last time, the Conor McGlone-owned gelding was sent off 11/10 favourite to follow up. With the final two flights omitted, the six-year-old came through to lead at what should have been the last.

Keeping on well on the run-in, the son of Snow Sky prevailed by three-quarters of a length. Williamson said: “It was a messy race as my lad was off and on the bridle and would have preferred the two hurdles to have been in.

“We didn’t go too quick, which didn’t suit him and, if we went a stronger gallop, he might have won better. Gordon’s main instructions were to speak to Jack (Kennedy) about the horse and there is no better man to speak to than him, so a big thanks to Jack for filling me in.”

Angelic

Williamson had been on the scoreboard earlier when partnering the James Barcoe-trained Hob’s Angel to win Division l of the Bet With Tote.ie On Racing & Sports Handicap Hurdle.

Returned 9/1, the Ms Yvonne Hennessy and Harry Williams-owned mare led after three out, keeping on well from the final flight to win by three-quarters of a length.

Barcoe said: “Dan King was very good on her the last day, as she had been doing too much in her races, and afterwards said she was now ready to be ridden amongst other horses. We were lucky to get Josh today, who is a chip off the old block.”

DANNY Mullins also visited the winner’s enclosure twice during the evening. Former bumper winner Minella Diamond initiated a double when keeping on nicely to take the Tote Guarantee Never Beaten By SP (C & G) Maiden Hurdle.

Prominent throughout, the Bill Lanigan-trained 7/2 chance led after two out and found plenty for pressure on the run in to prevail by two and a quarter lengths.

Lanigan said: “He is a nice horse, who had previously won a bumper. He had little niggly issues, but is back on track now. Onwards and upwards now, although he won’t run on rock-hard ground. Danny is very lucky for us and his owner (Christopher Neville) is a businessman from Roscrea.”

Doubling up

Mullins doubled up when partnering the well-backed Loi Des Jeux to win Division ll of the Bet With Tote.ie On Racing & Sports Handicap Hurdle.

Supported from 9/2 into 15/8 favourite, the Donie Hassett-trained gelding was always prominent before being produced to lead narrowly at the penultimate flight. The Darragh McDonagh-owned gelding kept on well from the back of the last to win by a length and three-quarters.

Assistant Trainer Brian Hassett said: “I wasn’t worried about the opposition, but was worried about the ground. If the ground is safe, he could go to Limerick in two weeks and, if he were to win there, he could get into Galway, but either way, he’ll be a nice horse next winter.”

Howya’s hat-trick

Having won similar races at Limerick and Naas earlier in the year, the Declan Queally-trained Rocky’s Howya brought up a hat-trick of claiming wins when staying on strongly to land the opening Aisling Kennedy Memorial Claiming Hurdle.

Sent off 11/4 favourite, in the colours of Mrs Margaret Kiely, the 10-year-old made most under Kevin Healy. Strongly pressed by stablemate You Done Well after three out, the Ask gelding saw off the latter’s attentions, before holding the late run of Woodstream Lad to win by a length and a half.

Declan Queally Jnr said: “A big effort goes in at home in keeping him right, he goes swimming and has been kept sweet. He is hard to place as he is old and rated high enough, but there are a couple of races coming up for him.”

COLLEEN Danu led home a 1-2 for trainer Pat Foley in the Money Back Daily Specials With Tote.ie Handicap Hurdle. After a serious error at the fourth flight, the Relwal Syndicate-owned mare worked her way back into the race under Alex Harvey.

Leading after the second last, the 11/1 chance was challenged by stablemate Arctic Flame on the run to the last, but found more on the run-in to score by three and a half lengths.

Foley said: “She was 8lb higher today than when winning this race last year, but had the benefit of having had a run under her belt this time.

That’s her third win for me and she is a sister to Absolute Notions, so the local syndicate will breed from her eventually. She could go for a summer chase now, as she is great to jump fences.”

Darragh Allen made all on the Terence O’Brien-owned and trained Mindyourheadmike to win the concluding John Walsh (Mainstown) Memorial INH Flat Race. Pulled up on his only point-to-point outing, the gelding was tailed off on his rules debut at Bellewstown last month.

Support

Available at 40/1 in the morning, the five-year-old was supported into 10/1 at the off. Sent straight to the front by Allen, Mindyourheadmike made the running and found plenty when challenged to win by three and a quarter lengths.

Allen said: “At Christmas, he wasn’t right, so you could put a line through his point-to-point run and his work prior to Bellewstown had been brilliant, so we fancied him going there. Today I got out in front, he enjoyed it and stayed at it well. Terence is as easy a man as you’d ever ride for and we made a plan to go forward.”