Chu Chu Thomas arrives back at the no.1

Two morning market springers for the Powerstown Demense Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel, filled the first two placings with Chu Chu Thomas accounting for Tyrone Tiger by three lengths.

However that doesn't tell the real story as the likely winner, Speed Dial fell at the last. He hampered Chu Chu Thomas but that fellow got going again well enough to win for Billy Harney and Bryan Cooper.

Harney said: "He was in cold storage long enough (off the track for a long time after his bumper win). It doesn't really matter but Bryan said he would have won anyway.

"I had him backed without Speed Dial and I hadn't backed a horse in three years.

"When he won his bumper in Cork I was wondering how much I was going to ask for him but I went out the next morning and he had a leg. Thanks bit to God I backed him that day too.

"We might sneak another hurdle with him. Chasing is his next option – he schooled over fences before he was ever named." (TW & EM)