Hurdle success for 'head scratcher' Clody Valley

Trainer Liz Doyle's faith in Clody Valley (11/1) was restored today as he finally made use of a lower hurdles rating, winning Fairyhouse's Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap Hurdle (div I) under Michael O'Sullivan.

Rated 102 over fences, Brendan Murphy's homebred seven year old had failed in 14 previous hurdle attempts but today, rated 87, won easily by eight lengths from Banada Bridge

Doyle said “he's a bit of a head scratcher this fella, he has wind issues and I wasn't sure about the ground or trip but we were trying something new as his pedigree is about stamina.

“We were going to let him off but we won't now, we'll tip away with him. He's hard to get healthy sometimes but he seems in a good spot at the minute.

“We rode him to get the trip, I told him (Deegan) to drop him out and see what happens and it just fell the right way as they stopped a bit in front.

“I'm pleased as he's given me grey hairs over the years trying to figure him out.”

Quotes from Gary Carson