Fad Eadrainn makes class tell at Clonmel

There was an upset in the opener, the Knocklofty Maiden Hurdle, in which 20-1 chance Tippinaway shaded the verdict over the well-backed Glenmore River 

UP AND OVER: Fad Eadrainn and Simon Torrens en route to winning the Botanica International Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel on Thursday. Picture: Healy Racing 

Fad Eadrainn brought a touch of quality to the Botanica International Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel, and the seven-year-old duly made the most of the opportunity to put a first hurdling victory on his card. Trained by Patrick Foley and ridden by Simon Torrens, the 120-rated gelding won his bumper here last year, and his return to the venue resulted in a deserved upturn in his fortunes.

“He has been a model of consistency in bumpers and over hurdles, and it looked an ideal chance for him today,” said Foley. “It’s just a pity the owners, Richard and Suzanne Kennedy, couldn’t be here. They are in Manchester but I’m sure they were looking in and got a good kick out of it.