Paddy comes good for Grace

Go Paddy Go was rewarded for his consistency when running out a convincing winner of the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel.

Martin Burke produced the Flemensfirth gelding to lead entering the straight and he stuck on well in the closing stages of the two-and-a-half mile contest.

Famous Ballerina tried to throw down a challenge before the last but couldn’t peg back the eventual winner, who went away on the run-in for a three-and-a-quarter length success.

The 2/1 winner was well backed having opened 11/4. He was turning out again quickly here having only been beaten a length at Limerick on Sunday.

Owner/trainer James Grace said:- “I thought it was never going to happen. Sunday and today were the plans. I didn’t happen on Sunday but it worked out today.

“He’ll run again in three weeks time. He probably wants better ground but he got through it today so we’ll have to try for another one.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)