O'Sullivan opens account on Cloghala

James O'Sullivan partnered his first winner under rules as Cloghala finished strongly to land the McElligotts Tralee Ltd Land Rover INH Flat Race at Listowel.

Third on debut at Cork last month, the Kris Kin gelding showed the benefit of that experience to take this 2m4f event.

The 6/1 chance only struck the front when heading Churchtown Champ 100 yards out, and ran on strongly to beat that rival by a length and a half.

The 11/10 favourite Loughaderra Prince held every chance another half-length back in third.

O'Sullivan (20), from Wexford, has ridden two winners previously in point-to-points.

Winning trainer Tony Mullins said, "I bought him at the Derby Sale three years ago but thought he would never come right. In the last few months the penny has started to drop but he has taken a long, long time.

"He is progressive and I won't ask him to run in a winners' bumper and he'll go straight for a maiden hurdle next.

"I was impressed with James and the way he rode him. He works part-time for me riding out and it was a nice cool ride from a seven pounds claimer."

(TW & AM)