Well-Backed Clopf Claims Grade 1 Glory

The Edward O´Grady-trained Clopf justified strong market support to take the Grade 1 vcbet.com Champion Novice Hurdle in impressive fashion, passing long-time leader Rindoon after the last obstacle.

The six-year-old had missed the Cheltenham Festival after a setback but, following an easy success on the Flat at Tipperary earlier this month, he looked right back to his best over hurdles.

'I think he was a little ring rusty coming to the second last but he battled well and I was really pleased with him,' said O´Grady of the 7/4 favourite.

'I hope he´s actually better than today´s run. He showed real resilience and toughness today.'

Clopf was cut to 20/1 from 33/1 for next year´s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle by today´s sponsors VC Bet and O´Grady is hoping his charge will be a live contender at Cheltenham in March.

'He´ll be back over hurdles next year and we may look at an early season campaign as he goes on good ground. Hopefully, there´s a lot to look forward to with him.

'He was just a bit stiff behind and the staff did a great job with him at home. It´s nice to get a good horse like him back. Had things gone to plan, I think he would have been a worthy favourite for the Supreme Novices´ at Cheltenham.'

After a stewards´ enquiry the placing of Rindoon, who originally finished second, and third-placed Holly Tree were reversed.

Clopf´s rider Barry Geraghty completed a 40.25/1 double when steering 14/1 chance Charlies First to a half-length victory in the 25-runner Evening Herald Handicap Hurdle.

'He ran a good race at Cork last time but just got to the front too soon that day,' said Charlies First´s trainer Peter Casey. 'He got a great ride today and wouldn´t have won but for Barry. He´ll be aimed at Galway now.'

Geraghty commented: 'Clopf was good today but I know he is even better than that. They went off very quick and it took my lad a while to warm up as he had not run over hurdles for a few months.

'He got going and I was happy that I was the winner half-way into the turn before the last. He kept going well and I think he is a very good horse.'

There was a family success in the opening DNG Nationwide Chase for the Ladies Perpetual Cup when Red Setter, trained locally by Edward Kinirons, provided his 19-year-old son Andrew with a first riding success.

'Andrew put in an exhibition round of jumping,' said the winning trainer. 'The horse deserved to win and has been third in this race three times before. At 2pm yesterday we thought he wouldn´t be running because he had a bit of a stone bruise. We were up at 6am this morning hosing him down and it is a real family success.'