Eights battles well to grab glory

All The Eights collected on his handicap debut when getting up close home in Suir Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel.

Tom Doyle produced his mount to challenge at the second last and he knuckled down well on the run-in to get the better of Shorecliffe King in the dying strides. Jacks Island stayed on well, finishing a head back in third.

"We were giving out about the handicapper beforehand! The ground is the key to him," said winning trainer Pat Cody.

"With the drying ground we thought he had a small chance. Even in his point to points he wasn't getting home on heavy ground.

"The better ground was definitely a help. Tom said he should win again on that ground.

"He's a smashing looking horse and was breaking our hearts. He was placed in four point-to-points.

"He's actually in again on Saturday but he wouldn't run after that as he had a tough race."