Coral collects over fences for O'Sullivan Coral River bagged a deserved victory over fences when running out a convincing winner of the Botanica International Rated Novice Chase at Clonmel. Donagh Meyler produced the Ross O’Sullivan-trained gelding to dispute over the second last in the two-and-a-half mile contest and he started to assert, from Great Universe, running to the final fence. The Ol’ Man River gelding galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a three-length win. The 11/4 shot had been placed on his previous three outings over fences, most recently when pipped close home at Fairyhouse in mid-January. Meyler said afterwards:- "We went a nice sedate gallop and it suited, stepping up in trip. He jumped and travelled, had one scare up the back straight, and was foot-perfect most of the way.  "It turned into a dash, which suited, and this horse should have won over fences previously as I gave him an awful ride in Fairyhouse in January. “I set sail too far out then and that race was in the back of my head today. "There is a 2m4f novice handicap chase for him at Punchestown, which is worth a few quid, so that is an option now." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
