CLIFF House showed his appreciation for the good to firm ground at Clonmel on Thursday evening when capturing the featured Tipperary Perpetual Cup Handicap.
Given a strong ride by Rory Cleary, the well-supported 10/1 shot (from 14/1) gained the upper hand in the final 50 yards to lift the prize by two lengths for his Mountmellick owner Tommy Ward
John Joe Walsh, who has care of the six-year-old, said afterwards: “He’s been running over hurdles all the winter and didn’t have much luck, but found his form again on the bit of good ground today. He won his first flat race on this type of ground and that’s his third win on the flat.
“He’s won two races over hurdles as well and jumps well and does everything well. Rory gave him a good patient ride.” Eshtiaal headed the betting, but could finish only fourth.
Anamoine Limited’s 7/4 favourite Escape Paradise took the honours for the Jessica Harrington stable in the opening St. Patrick’s Well Claiming Race when leading from start to finish under Colm O’Donoghue to win going away by a four length margin from Society Ranger.
The successful trainer’s daughter Kate commented: “She did it nicely and is a lovely filly. She was a bit backward last year and today was the first time she has got her ground. Hopefully we’ll get another handicap out of her and she’s the first Elusive Pimpernel to win for us.”
Willie McCreery saddled his seventh win of the flat season when Invincible Lia, with Billy Lee in the plate, got on top just outside the furlong marker in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden to score by a comfortable two and a quarters from the odds-on favourite Creme De La.
The 100/30 chance races in the colours of the 50 member Irish National Stud Breeding & Racing Club, run by Ciaran de Barra for John Osborne and she was their first winner. McCreery reflected: “They have two in training with me and this filly was quite backward last year, but she’s very honest and tough.
“She improved a lot from her first run in Dundalk and Billy was very good on her, because they seemed to go very quick up front.”
Champion jockey Pat Smullen has a good strike rate at this course and, despite being out of luck in the second race, was on the mark with the Aga Khan’s homebred filly Simannka in the West Gate Median Auction Maiden.
It was nip and tuck between the Dermot Weld-trained 4/6 favourite and Tonkinese in the latter stages, but Simannka prevailed on the near side by a short-head. Said her rider: “She did it well. Shane’s horse came back at me a bit and probably the undulations didn’t play to her strengths, but she battled it out well.”
Soon to be licensed trainer Joseph O’Brien sent out the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate’s Birthplace for a three-quarters of a length win under his sister Ana in the Clonmel Racecourse Supporters Club Evening May 19th Handicap.
Sent off the 7/2 joint favourite with the fifth-placed Maknificent, the Galileo colt edged out Storm Ranger close home. O’Brien said: “The ground was a big help to him and the three-year-olds get a nice allowance at this time of year as well, which was a help. I think he’ll stay handicapping and if the handicapper is not too hard on him, he might get another one.”
Danny Grant rode his first winner of the new campaign for his boss Pat Flynn aboard BBQ Race Evening Friday June 10th 45-65 Handicap scorer Mademoiselle Penny.
Despite her burden of top-weight, Bill Foley’s four-year-old daughter of Lawman came out best in a blanket finish to the race to land a gamble (8/1 into 9/2 favourite) with a virtually all-the-way half-length victory over Honor Oak.
The Co Waterford trainer commented: “I was going to go to Wexford with her, but came here instead because it’s my local track. She’s an honest mare who’s sure to win another one along the way.”
Mademoiselle Penny is named after her Co Wexford owner’s late wife and Flynn added: “She’s brave and a fighter. Danny is a top rider and I was very confident coming here.”
Castlelyons handler Rodger Sweeney was responsible for the final winner of the evening in Danequest who had Our Rachael’s measure by a short-head in the Main Guard 45-65 Handicap. Conor Hoban had the leg up on this versatile 6/1 shot who is owned by the trainer’s wife Joan and was registering his second win in less than a month.
Sweeney admitted: “I thought it was touch and go whether he had won, but at least it’s not as far as Dundalk! We’ll be home in an hour tonight. If I could find another two mile race on the flat I’d have a go at it but, if not he’ll go for a two mile hurdle race.”
ACTING STEWARDS
S. McDonogh, P. Coveney, J. Kennedy, P.D. Matthews
HORSE TO FOLLOW
STORM AWAY (P.J. Flynn): Gave a good account of himself on his return to action when second to Cliff House in the featured handicap and will strip fitter next time. Should not be overlooked at the up-coming summer festivals.