Spellacy's Cross lands the Clonmel nightcap for Barcoe The James Barcoe trained Spellacy's Cross recorded the first win of his career when keeping on well to take the concluding Tickincor Handicap Chase at Clonmel. An 18-race maiden prior to the race, the six-year-old had been placed over both hurdles and fences. Settled in mid division by Donagh Meyler, the 9/2jf was pushed along in fourth place after jumping three out. Finding plenty for pressure, Spellacy's Cross came through to lead at the penultimate fence, keeping on well after the last to beat Romella by three-quarters-of-a-length. James Barcoe said: "He deserved that as he had never done anything wrong, is a lovely mannered horse and we are lucky to have him. "I took a chance in buying him (for 3,000gns last September) as he had a grand run one day, is a well-bred horse and it is nice to get one like him for that sort of money. He also has a nice mark over hurdles. "He is jointly-owned by an American man John O'Neill whose daughter Claire is here today." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
