As Tears Go By was another prominent racer that hit the line in first place at Clonmel - in the Tote Fantasy Who's In Your Stable Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles.

Corey McGivern made most on the 16/1 chance and the pair hugged the rail on the turn for home.

He boxed on, but Grange Walk looked threatening in a closing second at the penultimate obstacle. As Tears Go By came under a drive from McGivern before the last where his lead was definitely reduced by Grange Walk.

The leader landed on a good stride, though, and fought on gamely to score by a length for Gordon Elliott, having attracted some support from 22/1. Grange Walk (10/3f) couldn't match the winner on the run-in and had to settle for second, a neck in front of strong-finishing Pont Audemer (5/1).

McGivern said: "There wasn't a whole pile of pace, so we said we wouldn't complicate things and let him bowl away in front. He is very game, picked it up racing down the back and got rolling early and stayed on really well.

"He has been flying at home and was fit and ready to run. He was very good."

As Tears Go By had been off since August last year. He won his maiden hurdle at Sligo in July last year.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes