Monaser off the mark following 101-day absence
Backed from evens to 8-11, the Sadler’s Wells colt made hard enough work of it, before finally mastering Real Empire.
The latter shot away early in the straight, but the winner was soon making inroads into his advantage and scored cosily enough in the end, after Pat Smullen had eased his charge ahead inside the furlong pole.
Said Smullen: “He was off a while and it took him time to get the hang of what was required, but he did it well in the end.”
Kris Weld represented his father and commented: “We are pleased with that, he was a long time off and there are no immediate plans.”
Weld and Smullen completed a double when Caroca landed the September Handicap.
The daughter of Theatrical got a strong drive, sweeping past the flattering Or D’ans in the closing stages.
“She ran in a bog last week (Tralee) and the better ground here suited”, reported Kris Weld.
Rory Cleary rode his 21st winner of the season, and his first at Clonmel, aboard Laoise Beag in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Claiming Race.
Tim Doyle’s filly made all the running, powering well away from her rivals from the two furlong pole.
Said Doyle: “She likes this place, so we had to come back. She will have another run or two, but will make a lovely broodmare and that’s the road to go down.”
The McNamara combination of Andrew senior and junior combined to win the Equine Warehouse Handicap Hurdle with Terappio.
The younger version eased the seven-year-old ahead well before the second last to beat End Of The Rainbow a snug length.
Said McNamara senior: “The good ground probably made a big difference and he will now go for another handicap at Galway next Tuesday.”
Stylish Dane, 9-10 from 5-4, proved a costly failure for punters when giving away the Equine Warehouse three-year-old Maiden Hurdle.
Despite some untidy jumping, Barry Geraghty’s mount cruised into the lead off the home turn.
But he hung badly going to the second last, threatening to run out for a few strides. His behaviour handed the initiative to Onforatwist, partnered by promising claimer, Paul Gallagher, who had a length and a half to spare over her unenthusiastic rival at the post.
Ruby Walsh, clear in the jockeys’ championship, took his tally for the campaign to 46 when guiding Frances Crowley’s Story Nine to success in the Nutri-Gard Maiden Hurdle.
Story Nine quickened in style between horses to lead before the final flight to beat Academy Brief, untidy at the last, by a length and a half.
Story Nine did tighten the second a little when beginning her challenge, but the stewards were never going to alter the placings.
“We think she is capable of winning a little handicap and also a handicap on the flat”, revealed Crowley.
Tony Mullins’ Bold Jack Donohue again disappointed, managing only third in the Bumper behind Florida Belle and Glenhaven Lad.
Always an odds-on chance, he ran quite free and was allowed stride on with some six furlong to cover.
But he had little left in the straight, as the principals went toe-to-toe through the last furlong.
