Tony Mullins' The Galway Man won the feature event at Clonmel today and is likely be sent to Liverpool in April for the John Hughes Trophy (Handicap) Chase over the Aintree fences.
The son of Zaffaran tracked the leaders before striking the front after the final fence and kept on well under pressure for a half length win over Ground Ball.
Mullins later expressed his delight at the success and also mentioned 'that is his third win from as many starts at Clonmel. The only explanation I can reach is that the descent into the dip gives him a chance to get a breather.'
He added 'he'll probably go straight to Aintree for the John Hughes Trophy (Handicap) Chase in April and may eventually go for the Grand National.'
Trainer Paul Nolan and his stable jockey John Cullen recorded an opening race double, with Demesne in the opening Fethard Maiden Hurdle and Kill Devil Hill in the Jim Strang & Sons Peugeot Maiden Hurdle
Demesne, a son of Thowra, chased the leaders throughout before being produced to lead after the final flight, eventually beating 11/8 favourite Rights Of Man by two and a half lengths.
After wards Nolan reported 'I am pleasantly surprised by that win but maybe the race might not have been overly competitive.'
Half an hour later Kill Devil Hill, carrying the same colours as The Glaway Man, ran out the ten length winner of the 2m4f maiden hurdle. The 11/10 favourite 'is not entered at Cheltenham' according to Nolan who added 'the penny is only beginning to drop with him now and he'll go chasing next season.'
Trainer Eamonn Sheehy has a useful yard of horses at present and he landed the competitive Jim Strang & Sons Peugeot Novice Hurdle with another fair performer, Carraig Blue.
The impressive twenty length winner looked in trouble when he was driven along by Michael Darcy entering the straight but maintained his gallop to eventually draw clear from Oulart before the final flight.
Sheehy later mentioned 'I have no real plan for him but I'd say he probably won't run at Cheltenham. He's by Roselier so he probably won't run on fast ground. He'll make a fine chaser next season.'
Jockey Kevin Coleman is beginning to make a name for himself and the nineteen year old from Innishannon in Co Cork partnered his 12th winner, on Golden Domer in the two mile handicap hurdle.
Winning trainer Stanley Ryan has only three horses in training and joked 'he may be moderate but he is our Best Mate!'
