Clermont stays on strongly to give Cromwell winner

Hascoeur Clermont stayed on best to win the Bar One Racing Bet In-Play Handicap Hurdle at Bellewstown.

Fifth at Listowel last time, the grey appreciated the extra half mile here, as he battled on well from the final flight.

A host of horses looked to be in with a chance of sorts approaching that obstacle but the Gavin Cromwell trained gelding kept on strongest. Important Message emerged from the pack to finish second for David Dunne at 100/1, while favourite Loudest Whisper briefly threatened before weakening into third.

Gavin Cromwell said: "He's enjoyed that trip and the nice ground. The ground went too soft for him the last day, but he still ran a creditable race. He's a different horse on that ground.

"He has a future over that trip, please God, and he'll jump a fence in time.

"I'm delighted for Noel Monaghan who lives locally in Duleek, it's great for him to have a winner here.

"I don't have any definite plan for him."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham