Clonguile proves game for Reilly

Clonguile Way powered home on the run-in to land the spoils in the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Handicap Chase at Wexford.

The John McConnell-trained gelding was last seen falling over the banks course at Punchestown and reverted to chasing this afternoon.

Thomas Reilly held his mount up in the three-mile-one contest but the 17/2 shot came under pressure running down the hill after the third last fence.

The Double Eclipse gelding started to close on the leaders after the second last and got to the front on run-in to record a three-and-a-half length victory over Roped In

“He doesn't make life easy for you and he never travelled at all, he's just an out-and-out stayer,” said Reilly.

“He was unlucky the last day in the La Touche, he just knuckled at he back of the second last when he was running a big race.

“Three miles brought the best out of him. You wouldn't have picked him as the winner after half a mile, he wasn't travelling and didn't do anything right bar jumping from fence to fence.

“His jumping was super and he's a credit to John. A change of scenery has sweetened him up.

“Once I jumped the last I said 'I'm only going to be second here' but when he got to the back of the last all he did was put his head down and grind away.

“He might be one for staying chases during the summer, even over three-and-a-half. He's an out-and-out stayer.”