Clements back with a bang in amateur ranks

Steven Clements' decision to revert to amateur status reaped rich rewards at Galway this evening as he partnered Edeymi to a thrilling success in the feature event on the opening evening of the festival.

The Gigginstown gelding was produced with a storming run in the straight to land the spoils in the Connacht Hotel Handicap for trainer Tony Martin, who also saddled the third home Redera

The 16/1 winner, a smart performer over jumps, relished the faster conditions he encountered tonight.

Clements, who hails from Scarva near Banbridge in County Down, buried his mount towards the rear of mid-division in the two miler before making ground up approaching the straight.

He hit the front at the furlong pole but was all out in the closing stages as Domination rattled home to push him to a head. Redera also ran on late to take the third spot and might have been closer after meeting some trouble in running.

Clements finest moment in the saddle came at Cheltenham in 2011 when Oiseau de Nuit landed the Grand Annual and he enjoyed a couple of good years afterwards as a conditional across the water before weight took it's toll.

“I came back for good in May and I'm trying to get going here again as an amateur.

“I ride out two times a week for James Lambe and also go into Gordon Elliott's as well as a few smaller yards.

“I'm not that busy at the moment but hopefully will be when the point-to-pointing starts again.

“It started off great in England and I was doing 10 stone and 9-12 but I just got heavy. It's not as busy in England work-wise and when I went two weeks without eating I knew that was enough.

“I was with Colin Tizzard for a few years and then was amateur for Paul Nicholls.

“I was lucky that I could make the change back to amateur and did it at the right time.”

Clements started off his career with Martin and has been in to ride out a few times since his return home.

“I fancied this horse. He was in great form and is bred to stay. He's probably not as good a hurdler as a Flat horse as he doesn't jump that great.

“He needs a bit of luck as he needs to be held up and I went a bit too soon but I didn't want to get into trouble and I knew he'd stay.”

It was a first success in the race for Martin as a trainer but he did reveal that he had won the race as a jockey and that it had landed him in hot water with his boss at the time.

“I won the race before as a jockey but it cost me my job.

“I was working for Michael Cunningham but couldn't do the weight on his horse and took a ride for Jim Bolger at the last minute.

“There was a bit of argy bargy in the race between me and the other horse. I didn't ride again for Cunningham for a year. But we're good neighbours and good friends now.

“That was great. I'm happy for the little horse as he's been unlucky. He went to Cheltenham and I thought he was my best chance with Bog Warrior and he got brought down.

“He then fell in Tramore when coming to win his novice chase first time. It's great to see him do himself justice.

“I couldn't see the two of them out of the first four and it's magic to get one in front. Luckily one of them was good enough to win and the other was third.

“They both gave them great rides. There are both not over-big and the claims were a big help.

“Stephen started out with me before going to England and had a great run a couple of years ago over there after he rode the winner at Cheltenham.

“It was Eddie O'Leary that decided that he was the man for him so full marks to him. He gave him a brilliant ride.”

The winner holds entries later in the week, in the Galway Hurdle and a beginners chase on Thursday and a handicap hurdle on Saturday.

“I don't think he had too hard a race. When he got there he started to ease up and we'll see how he is after this,” added Martin.

Call Me Bubbles was sent off 5/1 joint favourite for the race but after making up ground before the turn faded in the straight to finish 13th.

The other market leader Notable Graduate was just behind him in 14th.