Clonmeen, near side, chases down Kings Halo© Photo Healy Racing
Clonmeen needed every yard of the extended 2m7f trip to run down Kings Halo in the Tote, Never Beaten By SP Handicap Chase at Punchestown.
Kings Halo put in a stout effort off the front and still stuck to his task on the run-in, however, Simon Torrens galvanised a strong finish from staying-on Clonmeen who got up in the final stride to deliver by a head at 4/1 to foil the 11/4 favourite.
Clonmeen followed up on a 3m handicap chase victory at Down Royal in November.
Trainer Willie Murphy said: “The horses were all sick for about six weeks and it’s great to see them back in form.
“That was tight for comfort, but it was a tough performance, and the main thing is he won.
“We might think about something like the National Trial back here.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
