Point-to-point allies claim Clonmel bumper

Better known for their point-to-point exploits, Rob James combined with the Doyle brothers, Sean and Donnchadh, to take the last at Powerstown Park this afternoon, the Clonmel Oil Slan Abhaile INH Flat Race.

The successful horse was Diamboy Des Carres and after three runs last year, the imposing grey was then off the track for 13 months, returning to action at Wexford recently, catching the eye when fourth to Good Land.

Having come in for market support earlier in the day, the French bred six-year-old drifted from 11/4 to 4/1 before the off.

Fitted with a hood for the first time today and settled in second by James, he improved to lead early in the straight and kept on well when ridden from the furlong pole, going on to score by two-and-a-half lengths.

.Champagne Fame (5/1), who attempted to make all, finished a gallant second under Harry Swan for Joe Conlon, while Transmission (7/4f) was another two-and-a-quarter lengths back in third.

"He is not a bumper horse but it was a race which came his way. He ran very well in Wexford, where the race turned into a sprint and we got caught out the back," Sean Doyle, the winning trainer, commented.

"He had a little setback with heat in a leg so we ended up having to keep him. He is a massive horse, we'll keep him and might go for a winners' bumper before going hurdling.

"Our horses wouldn't be wound up for bumpers so he will hopefully improve and will go through winter ground. He is one to look forward to.

"We have been building up selling point to pointers over the years and now have four horses kept between myself and Donnchadh (winning owner), to run on the racecourse as a hobby."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes