Clonmel Report

Davy Russell stole the show on a miserable afternoon, the Youghal-native riding an approximate 353/1 four-timer, the quartet completed by On The Net in the feature race at Clonmel today. Indeed with persistent rain, the heavy going is a cause for concern ahead of tomorrow´s planned meeting (a precautionary inspection planned for 7.30 in the morning).

A first on the track, he actually even rode a five-timer in his time ?between the flags,' it was all the more noteworthy that the four winners were for different yards.

Content to bide his time behind 11/10 favourite, Coljon, in the eight runner Wilderness Chase, On The Net quickly put the issue beyond doubt as he led from two out for a twenty length success.

Eoghan O'Grady's charge is a really likeable sort, the consistent 5/4 chance making up for being ?nailed' on the line at Wexford last time.

Russell landed both divides of the Cashel maiden hurdle, Mouftari compensating for some recent near-misses in division two.

On his eleventh attempt over flights, Charles Byrnes' 2/1 favourite dug deep from the last where he made a mistake, to fend off Sir Overbury by a length and a half.

Liam Burke, trainer of Prideoftheyankees, summed things up perfectly after watching his charge comprehensively outclass the opposition under Russell in the opener.

'It was a poor contest but he couldn't do any more than win. He is small but he is a fair sort of horse who will want further,' commented the top point-to-point handler.

Twenty-six-year-old Russell also teamed up with Denis Ahern's Il Mulino, the 20/1 shot displaying huge reserves of stamina to easily take the two and a half mile maiden hurdle by twenty five lengths.

After seeing his Optimus Prime fall when lying a close third at the last in Mouftari's race, Burke was back in business half an hour later in the five-year-old maiden hurdle.

He saddled two 10/1 shots here and his Major Jon led before three out under Barry Cash and stretched away from the next to beat Victor Royale by twelve lengths.

'He's always worked well at home but has been disappointing. He got no run at Thurles last time and he seems to have improved since a run under Timmy Murphy at Taunton,' suggested Burke.

Top Eastern point-to-point jockey of 2004/05, Robbie Moran had his eighth winner since turning professional on Lakil Princess in the handicap hurdle.

Paul Nolan's grey mare made all for an unextended twenty length victory over Greywell. This was an open affair where there were joint 6/1 market-leaders.

Fresh from his brace at Sedgefield yesterday, Andrew McNamara was on the mark on John Murphy's Charging in the concluding handicap chase.