Powers blows away rivals over fences

Powersbomb made all under Mikey Fogarty to take the Clonmel Racecourse Supportes Club Only 90 Euro Beginners Chase.

The six-year-old gelding, previously successful in a Sligo bumper and over hurdles at the Galway Festival last year, got his chasing career off to an unfortunate start when unseating Fogarty at Thurles last month.

However the same combination put that right in this two-mile event at odds of 14/1.

Three rivals appeared to be queuing up to take on Brian McMahon’s charge at the second last but he kept on strongly from before the last to score by a length. Laid Back Luke backed this morning from 12/1 into half those odds and sent off at 5/1, took the runner-up spot with Motown Bob five and a half lengths further back in third.

McMahon said, "He's a funny character and you can't interfere with him too much. With his jumping, he sorts himself out and you're better off leaving it to him.

"He's a summer horse and has been on the go a year now so I might give him a break."

(TW & AM)