Williamson registers maiden professional double in Clonmel

Danny Mullins also doubled-up, providing veteran trainer Billy Lanigan with a welcome success when Minella Diamond, ridden prominently, battled well to beat Captain Hanley and odds-on favourite Springhill Warrior in the Tote Maiden Hurdle.

Fri, 15 May, 2026 - 06:24

John Ryan

Talented 5lb. claimer Josh Williamson registered his first double since turning professional (and the second of his career) when scoring on Chanceawetmorning and Hob’s Angel in Clonmel, sharing the evening’s riding honours with Danny Mullins.

Having landed a gamble on his stable debut for Gordon Elliott in Kilbeggan, Chanceawetmorning (11/10 favourite) defied a 9lb. higher mark when digging deep to land the featured Clonmel Racecourse Supporters Club Handicap Hurdle after a lengthy three-way tussle, on the extended run-in, with The Flyingbee and Sense Of Occasion.

Williamson admitted: “he was on and off the bridle the whole way, running in snatches. He got knocked sideway a bit turning in, but, once he hit the rising ground, he was fine and stretched well.

“He didn’t have a hard race in Kilbeggan but toughed it out and did it well today. He’ll improve again when he steps up in trip.”

A 22 race maiden, Hob’s Angel belatedly opened her account for Jimmy Barcoe in the first division of the (0-100) Tote-sponsored handicap hurdle, providing Williamson, fresh from a successful flying visit to France on Wednesday, with the first leg of his double.

And her trainer explained: “Dan King was very good on her the last day and gave us good advice. We were lucky to get Josh today – he’s a chip off the old block.”

Lanigan said, “He’s a nice horse and won his bumper, but he’s had a few niggly problems. I hope it’s onwards and upwards for this horse, but not on real hard ground. And Danny has been very lucky for us over the years.”

Successful with Humble Brag in Cork on Sunday, Donie Hassett struck again when Mullins partnered 15/8 favourite Loi Des Jeux to take the second division of the 0-100 handicap hurdle.

The trainer’s son and assistant Brian explained: “He’s immature and bit dopey, a lazy, old divil. He’s rated 84 and I think there’s a lot more to come from him.

“There’s a race for him in Limerick in a few weeks. He might go there and then on to Galway. But he won’t run back on that ground and could have a break instead. He’ll be a better horse over fences.”

Colleen Danu, 8lb. higher than last year, repeated her win in the Money Back Daily Specials With Tote.ie Handicap Hurdle, Alex Harvey’s mount recovering from a mistake at the third to spear-head a 1-2 for trainer Pat Foley, beating Arctic Flame.

“The ground was a bit of a worry, but the two fillies were rated exactly the same,” said Foley. “But it’s case of horses for courses – Colleen Danu loves it around here. They’ll both be going chasing sooner rather than later.”

Trained by Declan Queally, Rocky’s Howya (11/4 favourite) made all under 7lb. claimer Kevin Healy and found plenty to beat Woodstream Lad in the opening Aisling Kennedy Memorial Claiming Hurdle, his third ‘claimer’ success of 2026.

“He’s rated high enough and is hard to place, but there are a couple of races coming up for him,” said Queally.

The bumper went to Terence O’Brien’s Mindyourheadmike (10/1), under an enterprising, front-running ride by Darragh Allen, to foil favourite Lirakali.