Cash toughs it out in testing conditions

It was slow motion stuff at the finish of the Jim Strang & Sons Kilsheelan Hurdle at Clonmel as Cash Back landed the odds in the three-mile contest, giving Willie Mullins a quick double on the card.

Paul Townend made the running on the 2/5 shot and he was pressed by Desert Heather throughout with the mare joining the hotpot going out on the final circuit.

Ray Barron was the first to ask Desert Heather for an effort going to the second last and Cash Back had the lead running away from the flight.

The veteran was tired at the last flight as the clipped the top bar but was better than Desert Heather who left her hind legs in it and stopped to a walk.

Townend kept Cash Back going in the closing stages as he plugged on to record the win by 99 lengths.

Desert Heather was allowed to walk home in her own time to claim the runner-up spot. Monishter Are Mwee who tailed off with a circuit to run, hacked around behind for third.

Townend said afterwards:- "I didn't see much sense in Desert Heather taking me on as it could have set it up for the one behind us, but she wasn't there. Any horse which can stay on-the-bridle for the longest, wins today.

"There is a big difference in the ground from Thurles in October to here today but he actually relaxed pretty well for the majority of it.

"That took guts and he had been running competitively well. He is a great servant and deserved his day again."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)