Harding drives Traveller home as Conflict and Ruby hit deck

THE ups-and-downs of racing were never better illustrated that at Clonmel yesterday when the Ruby Walsh bandwagon came to a partial halt. Walsh has been on a terrific roll, following his Cheltenham exploits, and came to the meeting with nine winners in the bag for three racing days since returning home.

Heading to the second last, in the Comeragh Beginners Chase, he looked set to add to his ever growing tally aboard long odds-on Captain Conflict.

Tom The Traveller tried to make all and was pursued to the obstacle by Peplum and Captain Conflict, who appeared to be cantering all over his rivals.

Captain Conflict jumped the fence perfectly, but stumbled on landing. He immediately hit the deck, but the real downside was that he broke his leg and had to be destroyed.

Tom The Traveller, to his credit, then battled on dourly and was always getting the best of it with Peplum.

The nine-year-old is trained at Donoughmore, Co Cork by Debbie Hartnett. This was her second success from just five runners on the track. Said Hartnett: “He was in good order all week, this is fantastic. He got a cut in his leg when falling here the last day, but we came with high, high hopes. We will leave him off now.’

Tom The Traveller was capably handled by Richard Harding, who has now had his claim reduced to 3lbs.

Earlier in the day Walsh had better luck when guiding Majestic Oak to a smooth success for the Liam Cusack-yard in the Powerstown Maiden Hurdle.

The winner relished the two and a half miles and made practically all of the running, under a typically canny Walsh drive. Favourite, Rick, tried his case in the straight, but was always struggling to get in a real blow and was two and a half lengths adrift at the line.

Commented Cusack: “He loves jumping and is a chaser in the making. This is a big striding horse and he was better off out in front.”

Florida Pal, who had been rather disappointing in bumpers, looked an entirely different proposition with a set of obstacles in front of him. He jumped for fun throughout in the Slievenamon Maiden Hurdle, making most of the running for Patrick Mullins and cruising home 10 lengths to the good.

Trainer, Willie Mullins, said: “That’s his game. Hopefully, he can win again over hurdles and should make a lovely novice chaser.”

The Mullins duo completed a double when the imposing newcomer, Fionnegas, ran away with the Bumper. The Accordion gelding cantered into the lead under two furlongs down and soon shot right away.

“He will make a nice chaser in time”, reported Mullins senior. “We will try and win another bumper and he will go hurdling next season.”

Henry de Bromhead enjoyed a turn when Belladventure took the Clonmel Mares’ Beginners Chase. The complexion of the contest totally changed when front-running Our Symphony and nearest challenger, Polly Massini, both crashed out at the second last.

Belladventure was left in front and was kept going by Andrew Lynch to beat Vale Of Avocia and Cru.

“She jumps well, but had a bit of luck there’, said de Bromhead. “At least she’s got a bracket and will be a nice mare to breed from.”

Cru was always a short price and was most disappointing, never travelling or jumping with any great enthusiasm.

Thomas O’Leary continued his good run when American Star justified favouritism in the Lisronagh Handicap Chase.

In truth, Davy Russell stole the contest, dashing the winner ahead before the second last. Duers was closing him down all the way to the line, but could never quite get on terms. “He likes better ground and will keep going through the summer’, reported O’Leary.

Russell was, however, given a one-day suspension for using his whip with excessive frequency.

Philip Dempsey’s Shorecliffe King was a strong order for the Suir Handicap Hurdle, finding 6-4 from 5-2.

Trailing the field going out for the final time, following a dreadful blunder at the first flight in the straight, he improved into fifth down hill to the home turn, but was quickly fighting a losing battle. Victory went to 12-1 shot Pretty Happy, partnered by Robbie Moran for John Berry. She forged on going to the last to beat No More Prisoners by four lengths.