Saint Sam sizzles at Clonmel 

Victory was the completion of a double for trainer Willie Mullins, who had earlier brought his recent record in the listed T.A. Morris Memorial Irish EBF Mares’ Chase to six wins in 10 years when Pink In The Park landed the spoils.

NOT FOR CATCHING: Saint Sam and Paul Townend en route to winning the Grade Two Clonmel Oil Chase. Picture: Healy Racing

Saint Sam, fresh from two wins over hurdles, one of which was in France, completed his hat-trick with a successful return to chasing in the Grade Two Clonmel Oil Chase on Thursday afternoon at a well-attended Powerstown Park.

The most admirable seven-year-old, which his rider, Paul Townend, maintains you can only ever be a passenger aboard, took his customary position at the head of affairs and dominated from start to finish.

Solness sat just two or three lengths off him most of the way, with the remainder of the six-strong field a proverbial mile back from an early stage, but there weren’t many points at which it looked as though the chaser might get on terms with the leader.

As his closest pursuer began to feel the pinch, Saint Sam forged on going to the final fence and even a slightly awkward jump wasn’t enough to halt his momentum. Fil Dor made good late gains to get into second place, but Townend could afford a look behind him as he pushed his mount up the short straight to put an 11th career victory on his card.

“He’s a hardy bit of stuff,” said Townend. “He has his way of doing it, but he’s a great servant. You’re a passenger on him, which I’m sure is clear to see. If you pull against him, it’s faster you end up going. All you do is steer him.

“I had a look behind as I was wondering who was coming with me. I was surprised he (Solness) was with me, but it doesn’t really affect my lad too much. He’s half-daft anyway, and even in France the last day, James Reveley (riding Gallipoli) took me on very early, and we were still going the same gallop — he’s probably going as hard as he can anyway. He’s a great auld servant for those races. He’s always so hard on himself but there’s still fire in his belly.” 

Victory was the completion of a double for trainer Willie Mullins, who had earlier brought his recent record in the listed T.A. Morris Memorial Irish EBF Mares’ Chase to six wins in 10 years when Pink In The Park, owned by the Roaringwater Syndicate, landed the spoils under Danny Mullins.

As one observer noted, ‘the National Hunt is back: Willie lost but Willie still won’, referring to the fact the champion trainer also saddled last year’s winner, Allegorie De Vassy, in a bid for a repeat success but she failed to fire and had to settle for fourth place as her stablemate galloped clear after the last to win with authority.

Brave Fortune justified heavy support in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners’ EBF Maiden Hurdle. The imposing sort, whose previous hurdling form had been something of a mixed bag, put it all together in good style. His jumping wasn’t hectic through the early stages, but he warmed to the task and when he needed a good leap at the last, it was there for him and rider Jack Doyle. The even-money chance, backed from an overnight high of 11-4, stretched away in the style of a horse that could develop into a smart staying chaser.

“We always thought he was capable of doing that, but he’s been disappointing,” said winning trainer Pat Doyle. “He appreciates good ground and will probably make a nice horse over fences. He’s a lovely big horse and cost a lot of money, and we were always hoping he’d do something like that, and he did it well.” 

The Doyles were narrowly denied a quick double when their Romany Brown came out second best in a protracted duel with Stuntman Steve in the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle. The former appeared to be travelling the better of the two as they turned for home but was a little untidy over the last two, and Stuntman Steve, ridden by Keith Donoghue for Gavin Cromwell, dug in deep to shade the verdict as they hit the line.

Plains Indian has been campaigned in staying handicaps of late but when he contested the Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap Hurdle it was his first run over hurdles since pulling up in the same race in 2023. On this occasion his biggest problem was pulling up after the line as he moved well throughout and cruised clear in the closing stages to land the spoils for Andy Slattery and Cian Quirke.

Irish Impulse caused a 20-1 upset in the Prior Park Service Station Clonmel Handicap Chase. Open to improvement on just his second start over fences, he travelled well behind the pace and when the gap opened very late in the piece, the Robert Tyner-trained and Phillip Enright-ridden six-year-old picked up well to win a shade cosily.

Point-to-point winner Mic Drop built on the promise of his two previous bumper runs when taking the finale, the Watch Racing TV Free for 31 Days Bumper. Rob James took over a long way out aboard the David O’Brien-trained five-year-old and his mount found plenty for pressure when favourite Relieved Of Duties and eventual second Bold Passion both threatened. The winner has plenty of scope and should not be long in making a mark over obstacles.