THE returning Blue Lord headed an excellent afternoon for Willie Mullins by outpointing stablemate Tornado Flyer in the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase which will surely pave the way for a return to the big time in the coming months.

A dual Grade 1-winning novice chaser last term, Blue Lord was moving up to two and a half miles for the first time in nearly two years and Paul Townend maintained a watching brief at the rear of the four-runner field on the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned gelding.

The 5/6 favourite loomed up with some menace on the outer on the approach to the last two fences where Tornado Flyer and Darasso were doing battle up front.

A spring-heeled leap by Blue Lord at the last looked to have sealed the outcome but to his considerable credit Tornado Flyer rallied all the way to the line to lose out by just a neck. Darasso ran yet another honourable race to lie a further two and three-quarter lengths away in third.

“Paul timed it to perfection on the winner while Danny (Mullins, on Tornado Flyer) felt he got in too close to the second last and it cost him whatever chance he had,” said Mullins.

Very happy

“I was very happy with how Blue Lord settled and I think we will keep going at this trip. Tornado will probably head to Punchestown for the John Durkan.

“I wouldn’t dismiss that race for Blue Lord but I will talk to Simon and Isaac. We could wait a bit longer and see what there is around Christmas or maybe a little afterwards.”

After developing into a smart novice in the second half of last season the Mullins-trained Dolcita (11/4) made a very taking return to action as she pounced late to take the Listed T.A. Morris Memorial EBF Mares’ Chase under Paul Townend.

This was a particularly high-quality edition of this race with several of the best chasing mares around in the line-up with the likes of Elimay and Scarlet And Dove taking part.

Rivals

However, it appeared as though the gallant Ballyshannon Rose would take centre stage with a bold effort from the front and she looked to be holding her main rivals as the last two fences.

From two out though, the patiently ridden Dolcita emerged with her effort on the outer and she collared the ultra-game Ballyshannon Rose on the run-in to prevail by half a length. There was some 15 lengths back to Scarlet And Dove. This was a first blacktype triumph for the Sullivan Bloodstock-owned seven-year-old.

“They probably went a bit fast in front and Paul came along to take what was going and got the major prize. We went out hoping to get some prize money and didn’t think we’d get it all with her but she is improving. Elimay (fourth) will come on for this fitness wise and the plan is to go back to Cheltenham with her,” remarked Mullins.

Two more for Elliott

GORDON Elliott’s excellent form continued into this card where Landrake opened his account in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle over just short of two and a half miles.

This Caldwell Construction-owned son of Martaline showed plenty of promise to be placed in three of his four runs in bumpers and looked quite at home as he tried hurdles for the first time.

He raced on the pace for Jack Kennedy and showed a good attitude from the second last to fend off the persistent effort of last month’s Cork bumper winner Corbetts Cross by a length and a quarter.

“He handled the ground well and he’s improved for the switch to hurdles. He’s a nice prospect going forward and he should improve from here,” stated the trainer’s representative Lisa O’Neill.

Elliott then followed up with The Four Sixes (5/1) in the Connolly’s Red Mills EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.

Previous run

This McNeill Family-owned four-year-old had to settle for third when going off an odds-on for a Leopardstown bumper on his only previous run last March and he stepped forward nicely from that effort.

He was travelling well on the outside of the field for Davy Russell turning for home and began to get on top in between the last two flights en route to a length-and-a-half triumph over Senior Chief.

“He jumped fantastic for a horse having his first run over hurdles. We liked him last year but he maybe went a little weak towards the end of the season,” stated Russell.

“I think he’ll be a lovely winter horse and with another year behind him I think he’ll be even better again.”

Landrake’s earlier success offered a pointer to the bumper and Diamboy Des Carres, who finished just a head behind that horse at Wexford last month, came out on top in the Clonmel Oil Slan Abhaile INH Flat Race.

The six-year-old, who was ridden by Rob James, looked to have matters in hand from over a furlong out and reached the line with three and a half lengths to spare. Sean Doyle trains the 4/1 shot for his brother Donnchadh.

“He ran very well in Wexford, where the race turned into a sprint and we got caught out the back,” remarked Sean Doyle. “He might go for a winner’s bumper before going hurdling. He will go through winter ground.”

Warrior sees off his rivals

AFTER sending out placed horses in the first two races on the card, Henry de Bromhead got amongst the winners when Clifton Warrior (4/1) recaptured his best form in the Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap Hurdle over two miles.

Rachael Blackmore’s mount possibly wasn’t that fluent two out as he seemed poised to take control of the race. This gave Grange Walk a chance but Clifton Warrior found another gear nearing the last and produced a brilliant jump to reaffirm his superiority.

The Warriors Syndicate-owned six-year-old went on to win by five lengths as he bounced back from pulling up at Listowel. “He just got lost in Listowel and he came home sore. We found out he probably prefers that softer ground. He is not a particularly big horse and we’ll keep him over hurdles. I’ll look for a soft ground, two-mile handicap hurdle,” said the trainer.

Jimmy Barcoe sprang a 50/1 surprise in the 0-102 rated Prior Park Service Station Handicap Chase where Courting Vickie won her second success at this track. The Barcoe-owned mare hadn’t been at her best since a win over hurdles here in April but returned in great order under Sarah Kavanagh. She produced a quicker jump two out than odds-on favourite Womalko and held him on the run-in.