Carlas Big Jim toughs it out best

Carlas Big Jim (9/2) ground out victory in the qualified riders' handicap hurdle at Clonmel as it became slow-motion stuff in the closing stages.

Cal Shine sent him on from Natural Breeze after two out (normal three out) and Carlas Big Jim began to crank up the pressure on Intersky Sunset and Natural Breeze with over a quarter of a mile to negotiate.

All three stride patterns shortened in the final furlong, but Carlas Big Jim jumped the last well which sealed it as the others couldn't make inroads into the lead.

The winner, trained by Louis Archdeacon, passed the post 10 lengths clear of Natural Breeze (13/2). Intersky Sunset (6/1) could offer no more in third.

Shine, riding his third racecourse winner, said: "We were keen to make plenty of use out of him. Two mile three is probably his trip, he probably gets a bit further. We were keen to make it as much of a test as possible.

"I've ridden 15 point-to-point winners, with one this season.

"I'm based down in Cork and go to Louis Archdeacon, Eugene O'Sullivan, Daniel Murphy - I'd be there every day - and Michelle Duggan as well. I try to do all the locals."

Archdeacon added: "He was knocking on the door, is a good honest horse and Cal was fantastic and is great value for the 7lb (claim).

"I'd like to give the horse a break now as he has been busy and, if the ground goes, it'll be a field of grass next for him and he'll definitely be chasing next season.

"I'm delighted for his owner Derry Fitzpatrick who also had a winner on Tuesday for Brendan Walsh (Added Bonus) - we are all local to him and, in fairness, he always keeps his horses local.

"We have five or six horses to race, but I do a lot of breaking horses for people."

Carlas Big Jim was another horse to make the breakthrough at Clonmel today.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes