Ellaat takes claimer for the Byrnes team Ellaat stayed on best in the closing stages to take the Nire Valley Claiming Hurdle at Clonmel for father-and-son team Charles and Philip Byrnes. Connors Cross cut out the running in the two-miler but was joined by the smooth travelling Ellaat before the second last. The Heeraat gelding had the edge over the final flight and asserted in the closing stages to post a length-and-a-half success. Ellaat had been beaten favourite in a similar event over further at Limerick late last month, when third behind Robinstown. "He is what he is but is a great old servant. Once the favourite Robinstown was taken on for the early lead, he didn't want to know and Ellaat had travelled well into the race,” said Byrnes senior. "I don't know are there any more claimers coming up." The winner was claimed for 6,000 euro by Philip O'Connor, to be trained by Ian O'Connor. (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
