Berry strikes it Rich
This took his total to 32 and, fresh from success with Leg Spinner at York this week, he is beginning to emerge as a genuine title contender.
Torcello looked sure to win when kicking clear early in the straight, but Berry conjured a terrific late burst from the 11-year-old to score by half a length.
“That is the horse’s tenth win,” reported delighted trainer, Tom Hogan. Previously, Penny Rich finished last of 16 at Wexford, but Hogan explained: “Everything has to go right for him and he boiled over then. Anyway, he’s not capable of winning those handicaps anymore.”
Hogan completed a 30½/1 double when Kylebeg Dancer came late and fast to land the mile and a half Hyundai Handicap.
Market leader The Last Stand edged on with less than two furlongs to run, but Robbie Burke powered through late and the four-year-old mare grabbed the advantage to score by a short head.
Declan Gillespie’s Morning Glow, an easy winner at Limerick on soft ground, showed that a much faster surface holds no fears for him when easily taking the ten furlongs Hyundai Handicap.
The King Of Kings gelding went up 11lbs for that, but it was never going to stop him, after Declan McDonogh made his move early in the straight.
Just Different, carrying the Back In Front colours of Dermot Cox and last of 13 on this track previously, had no trouble taking the dreadful Gain Beginners Chase.
Mark Walsh sent the winner ahead five out and didn’t have to be overly hard on him to hold Family Affair by three parts of a length.
Rocksham was the business in the ring, finding 2-1 from 5-2. But he trailed in a poor eighth. Rocksham was subsequently found to have suffered cuts to his front and hind limbs.
All win bets on the tote in the Bumper were refunded after they failed to take a wager on 20-1 shot Mantell, who scored for trainer, John Joe Walsh, and his son Martin.
The newcomer did really well to get up close and score by a length, after he jumped the road across the track with well over a furlong to run.
Unlucky horse of the contest was Eoin Griffin’s Gunnison, who was in front when hanging badly towards the stands through the final furlong.
Tyrone handler Jimmy Lambe enjoyed his first ever winner at Clonmel when Ragged Jack took the Avonmore Flavoured Milk Maiden Hurdle.
Strongly handled by Paul Flynn, Ragged Jack was in front going to the second last, holding on close home to beat favourite Man Of Repute..
David Flannery, who partnered third placed High Stool Lady, was suspended for two days for using his whip with excessive frequency.
Ruby Walsh produced Striking Sound to hit the front before the last and easily land the Gain Feeds Handicap Hurdle.
