Big Bee Hive big and bold over the final flight© Photo Healy Racing
Big Bee Hive took the Cannonwood Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel but it would be fair to say the complexion of the race completely changed at the second last. Gargouille strode into the lead there with Hugh Morgan sitting on a double handful. His mount jumped it well but stumbled upon landing and crashed out.
Another one to depart was Mise Raftaire who wasn't done with just behind the leaders. His fall badly hampered third-running Ballyeden Lass
The dramatic turn of events left Big Bee Hive and I'vedoneitall tussling it out on the way to the last.
Big Bee Hive was certainly big over the final flight in the lead and was ridden out by Phidelma Elvin to win by a length and a quarter at 33/1 from a staying-on Early Arrival (80/1). I'vedoneitall dropped to third at 125/1 but was half a length in front of Springfield Lodge (13/2).
Trainer Philip Rothwell said: "He was a horse I had him with a friend and was just left at home. I had promised Phidelma to get her something to ride for fun and I thought he'd be progressive and he is a good jumper.
"I thought, on the ground, his wind might catch him a bit and he won't go on summer ground and doesn't handle heavy. It wasn't the best race in the world but he has gone and won a handicap for Phidelma so I'm delighted.
"I tried to sell him to a good friend Joanne Foster, from the north of England, last year for very tiny money but she wouldn't buy him. She might buy him next winter as he might be one to go to England."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
