The Garrett Ahern trained Slainte And Thanks landed a gamble to win the BBQ Evening At Clonmel Mares Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel today, scoring under an enterprising ride from Danny Mullins.

The daughter of Arakan, backed from 8/1 this morning in to a 7/2 chance at the off chartered a wide course throughout the race and went clear of her rivals from the second last flight, to score a comfortable 12 lengths success.

Afterwards Ahern stated “ground! All last year she didn't get her ground and she needed the run at Tramore last week and was bouncing since.

“The ground was after being watered and Danny said the inside was riding softer and she wants to hear herself off it.

“I'll talk nicely to the handicapper tomorrow but there's a 0-102 handicap hurdle somewhere at the end of the month. If he won't hammer her she could go for that race.”

Ahern's previous winner was with five-time winner Our Katie in February 2015 and he added “Our Katie was brilliant and we'd load her on to the truck every day and she could do roadwork every day. She needed no galloping no nothing and would come out and win!

“I've three horses to run for the summer.”