Easy for returning Allaho in Clonmel feature

Allaho showed his undoubted star quality as he easily accounted for two rivals in the season feature at Powerstown Park, the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase.

Out of action through injury since winning the Punchestown Gold Cup in April of last year, the Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old was widely expected to make a winning return this afternoon, going off the clear favourite at 1/4.

Sent straight to the front by Paul Townend, the No Risk At All bay made all and jumped well throughout.

While his advantage was reduced approaching two out, he never looked in danger and came home nine-lengths to the good in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud.

Returned at 3/1, Janidil made it a 1,2 for Willie Mullins, his second of the afternoon, with Grange Walk all of 66-lengths back in third.

"He was a bit rusty early on and uncompetitive for the first couple of fences but I wasn't going revving him up," Townend reflected.

"He certainly didn't feel any smaller and is a big horse to try and organise so you just let him do his thing.

"He is massive and I was chatting to Rachael (Blackmore) not that long ago - as she won the Ryanair (Chase, in 2021) on him, and he just covers so much ground. You think you are just lobbing along but he puts other horses under so much pressure.

"He took plenty blows today and it is hard work with everything finishing tired. He was entitled to get tired having been off the track for so long but it is job done and there is plenty to work on.

"It is brilliant to get him back and his engine looks to be there. It is job done and Willie can make a plan after this."

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend were completing a quick double, having claimed the previous contest with Allegorie De Vassy

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes