Myles Ahead gets on top late to land tidy gamble

Myles Ahead landed a tidy gamble when getting on top late in the John Kennedy Motors Beginners’ Chase at a well-attended Clonmel. Having his second run for trainer Ted Walsh, the 11-4 second-favourite was backed down from 16-1 the night before.

There were moments he looked in trouble, including when under strong pressure coming down the hill for the final time, but he responded well to Ian McCarthy’s urgings to put his head in front in the shadow of the post.

“He had a run around Punchestown against horses that were going too quick for him, but this was 0-116 and he was the highest-rated horse in the race,” said Walsh. “They had a few quid each-way on him and if he wasn’t capable of finishing in the first three you were in trouble.”