Noonan rides out claim aboard Kilbrin Rocco Kilbrin Rocco stayed on well to land the Jossestown Handicap Steeplechase at Clonmel in the hands of Gary Noonan who rode out his 3lb claim in the process. Doyen Magic gave it a good go off the front in this two-mile test, but was narrowly headed by the grey Lake Chad racing to the penultimate fence. Doyen Magic rallied to get back on terms there while a challenging The Big Cloud departed in jumping it. Kilbrin Rocco moved ominously into contention and jumped the last in second behind Doyen Magic who had gone on from Lake Chad. Upon touching down, Kilbrin Rocco responded well to pick up Doyen Magic in the closing stages and he went on by two lengths to justify 15/8 favouritism. The runner-up was a 7/2 chance and was almost three lengths clear of Lake Chad (9/1). This was Kilbrin Rocco's second career success having taken a handicap hurdle at Downpatrick in April 2024 for former trainer Mick Winters. Eoin McCarthy said: "His run at Limerick (runner-up last month) was lovely and solid and, if he came forward at all, he'd have won today's race which wasn't the best on paper. "He is a lovely straightforward horse and jumps really well. "His jumping was a big asset today and he'll stay chasing. "Gaps always open up on heavy ground at Clonmel and Gary was very good on him. That is Gary's claim gone and he rode his first winner as a professional for me here some years ago." Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
