Emperor lands the odds in Clonmel opener Arcadian Emperor produced a fine front-running performance to land the odds in the opening Botanica International Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel today. Mark Walsh bounced out in front on the 1/2 shot, who was briefly joined with a circuit to run by Little John. The JP McManus-owned hotpot had his rivals at work turning for home and asserted before the last to record a cosy two-and-a-quarter length success over Hi Ho Idaho. The winner had been runner-up on his last two outings. Racing manager Frank Berry said afterwards:- "He has run well every time but has just bumped into a couple of decent horses and was back in a lower grade today. He jumped great and won nicely. "If the ground stays like that, he'll have another go and then will go jumping fences next autumn." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
