Abbot charges home for McDonogh The Black Abbot was produced with a well-timed run by Declan McDonogh to land the Slievenamon Handicap at Clonmel. Elusive Ridge had attempted to make all but was grabbed by Jim Gorman's charge inside the final furlong for a length-and-a-quarter success. The front two came close in the finish but the stewards left the result unchanged after an enquiry. "He'll stick to the same. He got a 3lb penalty for last Thursday but didn't have to carry it today so I assume he'll go up in the handicap," said Gorman. "I'm pleased with that. Declan is convinced he'll get a bit further so he'll be campaigned between 1m2f and 1m4f. "We'll look for suitable handicaps on good ground or the all-weather." A jumping campaign could also be on the cards for the winner:- "He has schooled and jumps brilliantly. He's still a full horse so he'll need a little op before he does that." Pat Smullen, rider of Elusive Ridge, picked up a one-day ban for careless riding.
