THE red-hot trainer and jockey combination of Henry de Bromhead and David Mullins continued their winning ways at Clonmel on Thursday via Monalee’s decisive success in the Grade 3 Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle.

Owned by Dublin businessman Barry Maloney, who also has Heron Heights with the trainer, the 6/4 favourite raced in second or third throughout behind Rathnure Rebel and took command before two out. Four lengths up on his nearest challenger Battleford with only the final fence to negotiate, Monalee came home four and three-quarter lengths to the good over his rival.

De Bromhead said: “That was a really good performance and a super ride from David. We hoped he might do something like that, but it was a competitive race and it seemed straightforward for him.

“We think he likes better ground and David thinks so too. He’s entered in the Neptune and the Albert Bartlett and, although the last one seems the obvious race for him, we’ll see nearer the time.”

There was a disappointing turn-out of just four runners for the Micro Dog ID Steeplechase and this enabled Gordon Elliott and his owners Gigginstown House Stud to record back-to-back wins in the two and a half-mile plus event with dual Grade 1 scorer Clarcam.

Sent off as the 6/5 favourite and partnered by Jack Kennedy, the seven-year-old tracked the front-running Val De Ferbet from flagfall and the contest developed into a two horse race between the pair before the last bend.

There was little to choose between the duo at the second last, but Clarcam gained the upper hand on the run to the last and went on to score by two lengths, with 37 lengths back to Archie Meade in third. The only other runner, Upazo, was trailing when pulled-up before two out.

Elliott’s assistant Ollie Murphy remarked: “It was a little bit of a surprise because he hates the ground and has had three quick runs. He wants better ground, but he’s a tough little horse.”

PLAIN SAILING

Upazo’s rider Ruby Walsh fared better in the Kilsheelan Mares Maiden Hurdle where, apart from a blunder at the first hurdle, it was all plain sailing for his mount Good Thyne Tara who made light of the conditions to come home an easy 10-length winner from White Lilac.

The Willie Mullins-trained 4/11 favourite carries the colours of his English patron Nigel King and Walsh reflected: “It’s very testing ground, but loose. It was probably her best run so far.”

The always-prominent Ask Nile, from Seamus Neville’s stable, was another market leader to oblige when building on a number of promising efforts to justify 9/4 favouritism under Brian Hayes. Owned by the Bridgetown, Co Wexford handler’s wife Ina, the five-year-old Ask gelding was in front from four out and lasted it out, when pressed by Moroval and Veneziano Springs, by two and a half lengths, despite beginning to tie up on the run-in.

“He was just idling more so than anything else,” said Neville. “I kind of expected him to be there or thereabouts and we’ll try to find a winner’s of one for him. Chasing will be his game next season.”

Like A Demon headed the betting for the Minorstown 80-95 Handicap Hurdle, and was in the leading group until coming under pressure before the turn in, being eased before two out to come home in his own time behind the Adrian Maguire-trained 12/1 shot Knockraha King.

The Paul Townend-ridden winner stuck to his task gamely to withstand the challenge of Rock On Barney by half a length. The winner races in the colours of the executors of the late Michael O’Donoghue and Maguire attributed the win to perseverance, commenting: “Fair play to the lads for keeping faith in him.”

“When Michael was alive he [Knockraha King] showed plenty of ability in bumpers, but he’s had his problems and I owe a big thank you to Ger Kelly, the vet. We couldn’t be confident because his form had tailed off, but we were hopeful and he’s on the way back. We’ll see how he comes out of the race and keep him low-key.”

NO MISTAKES

Samanntom, with Mark Enright in the saddle, made every post a winning one in the Derrygrath Novice Handicap Chase to claim the spoils by three lengths, with the favourite Blackwater Bridge, later reported to have hung badly left, a further 28 lengths adrift in third.

The 3/1 winner is trained by Aidan Fogarty, whose father Joe observed: “He did it well and jumps a lot better when he makes the running. He ran very well there and likes that ground. He won two point-to-points on heavy going, so we had no fear of it. My son says he’s a three-miler, but he has enough of gears for two.”

Liam Burke sent out Tom Murphy’s Island Master to take the Micro Dog ID Maiden Hunters Chase in the capable hands of Richie Harding at a price of 8/1. The eight-year-old mastered the favourite Clondaw Frisby and Captain Bizarro after the final obstacle to come away it in front, going away to collect by three and a half lengths for his Carrigtwohill owner Tom Murphy, who looks after the greens at Riverrock Golf Club.

Burke paid tribute to his owner with the comment: “He’s a dream owner who pays his bill every month and never says a word. The horse has been disappointing, because we expected more of him, but he keeps a bit for himself. We might run him in a handicap now.”

One-day ban

CAPTAIN Bizarro’s rider P.A. King picked up a one-day ban in the maiden hunters chase for using his whip with excessive frequency and failing to give his mount time to respond.

ACTING STEWARDS

P.F. Ronan, P. Coveney, M.J. Murphy, P.D. Matthews.

HORSE TO FOLLOW

SO INFLUENTIAL (E. Sheehy): gave his supporters no run for their money when exiting at the first in the maiden hunters chase, but this Tinahely point-to-point winner is clearly better than that and can be forgiven that lapse.