Ronan Whelan picked up the day's main prize for the Jim Bolger yard when he piloted Puncher Clynch to an all-the-way success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Premier Nursery at the Listowel Festival.
There were no stamina doubts about the 5-2 shot, who was a winner over an extended mile on heavy ground at Galway last time, but the opposition were breathing down his neck on the turn into the straight.
The 10lb claimer kept him going strongly and Puncher Clynch held off favourite Joshua Tree who had to be switched off the rail to get a run, by three-quarters of a length.< Rebel Aclaim put up a gutsy performance to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap in the hands of Danny Mullins.
The 11-1 chance was soon in front and led into the straight, but Drombeg Dawn ranged alongside apparently going better and Paul Cashman's four-year-old had to dig deep to fend her off by three-quarters of a length.< Foolish Ambition who was second in a Listed race on her debut, returned from a long lay-off to fulfil that promise with a game victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
David Wachman's juvenile (8-11 favourite) led a furlong and a half out but was shaded by Dance Hall Girl before fighting back to score by a length and a quarter under Wayne Lordan.< Pirans Rock sprung a 25-1 surprise with a debut success for the Paul Deegan yard in the O'Callaghan Family Hotel EBF Maiden.
Willie Supple was driving hard through the last quarter-mile and the daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar responded well to catch Big Occasion for a neck victory, with Dalkan a fast-finishing third.< Mujaazef was sent off the 8-11 favourite for the Jet O'Carroll Memorial Median Auction Maiden and won with the minimum of fuss.
Kevin Prendergast's juvenile was third on the turn for home but soon swept into the lead and Declan McDonogh wasn't troubled to get home with three lengths to spare.
