Clarens keeps the locals happy in Tramore feature Trained locally by John Flavin, Clarens defied top-weight in an eventful feature at Tramore, the Vince Power Memorial Handicap Chase. Successful over the course and distance in April, before finishing third on his most recent start at Tipperary, the Dream Ahead eight-year-old proved easy-to-back this evening, drifting from 5/2 to 10/3 late on. Taking closer order in second from the fourth fence, the Darragh O'Keeffe ridden victor was left in front when Willywampus unseated Ricky Doyle five out. While strongly pressed by Itsalonglongroad on the run to the penultimate fence, he found plenty for pressure and despite a slight mistake at the last, he had two-lengths to spare at the line. Bidding for a fifth course win, Itsalonglongroad (7/1) had to settle for second under Simon Torrens, while Prince Of Air (2/1f from 9/2 in early shows) was eight-and-a-half lengths back in third. Just four of the seven starters managed to complete the course, with Be Fierce falling at the sixth, bringing down Red Striker in the process. "It was a great prize at the local track and it's brilliant that they put such good prize money on for that type of race. We were coming for this race anyway, but when we saw the prize money, we thought that's brilliant altogether," Flavin enthused. "As one of the men said to me after the first race (his Aclass finished sixth), 'don't worry, Clarens never lets us down' and when we need him he is always there. "He jumped savage and he actually put a couple of them on the deck that tried to go with him. "You couldn't fault him, he is as honest. He had top-weight and he is not that big of a horse. "I'm delighted for all of the owners (the Miracle Racing Syndicate), they've been with me from the start and a big thanks to all of them for sticking with him. "He won three on the bounce when he started handicapping over hurdles and then he had a few little problems here and there, but thankfully now since he has gone jumping fences he has been a revalation again. It's just fantastic to have a lad like him. "There is a race at Cartmel at the end of June and he could go for that."
