5.40 2m. 4f. 5-y-o plus 10 Ran
betchronicle.com Novice H´cap S´ch (Rated 0-123) of €22,500.00 5-y-o plus 1st - €14,647.50, 2nd - €4,500.00, 3rd - €2,250.00, 4th - €900.00

Having unseated last time out The Joker looked like he had thrown away this one when the race was at his mercy by ploughing through the third last fence but to his absolute credit, the ten-year-old battled back to hold off the late charge of Clarkey who just failed by half a length.

The Joker made all the running under Shane Jackson and had jumped reasonably well until that blunder. He battled back well and to land his second race since joining Shane Donohoe and he was just narrowly denied on a third occasion. Certainly one to like and there should be more to come.

Clarkey was making his handicapping debut but for the seven-year-old and that is now five career seconds for this ever consistent performer who has never been out of the first four but has still failed to win on the track despite winning a point to point as a four year old. Another good effort all the same and he should be breaking his racecourse maiden quickly.

War Of The World looked as if he was going to get involved but didn't have the turn of foot required and certainly looks like a horse who wants further.

Top weight Smugglers Song took a crashing fall at the third last and Johnee Joblot's place claims were ruled out when he made a bad mistake at the second last. Retrievethelegend was always up there but was another who hadn't the turn of foot at the business end.