Rathgar Beau finally gained a deserved big race win when landing the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase in testing conditions at a rain-soaked Clonmel.
The Dusty Sheehy-trained gelding, runner-up to Kicking King at Gowran Park on his reappearance this season before exiting at the last behind Moscow Flyer at Navan, traveled well throughout this two and a half miles event. He threw two bold jumps for Shay Barry in the straight and, after quickly going three lengths clear after the last, idled in front as the always prominent Cloudy Bays got to within half a length at the line.
'He got into a nice rhythm today and was overdue a win like that, although he idles when he gets in front. He's entered in the John Durkan at Punchestown (2m4f on December 5) and the Hilly Way (2m on December 12) at Cork, and I'd like to keep him to two and half miles,' said Sheehy.
Impek was bidding to give the connections of last year's winner Edredon Bleu a repeat victory but dropped away in the straight to finish a soundly beaten fourth. Trainer Henrietta Knight was quite happy with him saying, 'He's run a good race and jumped well but just couldn't act on that rain-softened ground (officially described as soft but changed to heavy after the fourth race). He's entered in the King George but I'm not sure where he'll go as there are very few races for him.'
Willie Mullins saddled four runners in the three miles handicap hurdle, and Rule Supreme left his trainer both 'surprised and delighted' when defying top-weight. Last season's Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner was produced with a well-timed challenge by Jamie Codd to touch off Bennie's Pride by a head.
'He appreciates a really good test of stamina, and will mix it this season between hurdles and fences. He will take his chance now in the Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse (November 28), and at this stage I would say the Stayers Hurdle is a more realistic target for Cheltenham than the Gold Cup,' said Mullins.
Alan Crowe was stood down for the remainder of the day after being unseated from Adarma when the 9/4 favourite held every chance at the second last in the mares novice chase. This left the way clear for Nolans Pride to provide claimer Martin Ferris with his seventh winner since turning professional, beating Gli Gli by five lengths.
Brownie Returns was ridden up with the pace throughout by Adrian Lane in the two and a half miles handicap chase, leading three out to beat No Small Plans by five lengths.
The lightly-raced Prince Roscoe showed the benefit of an outing here last month to land the opening maiden hurdle, drawing clear early in the straight for amateur Michael O'Connor to beat Over Alainn by eight lengths. Sadly the 100/30 favourite Rearing To Go was pulled up before the second last with a tendon injury, and had to be put down.
Lala Nova jumped past the flattering Pippin's Ford at the last in the two miles handicap hurdle, and kept on strongly on the run-in for Billy Callaghan to score by four and a half lengths.
Alan Magee
