Afatcat leads as Sizing India falls at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Out in front was the best place to be in an eventful beginners’ chase at Clonmel as Afatcat made the running and won under Robbie Colgan. Castletown Bridge Milan Elite and Sizing India all fell throughout. The latter fell when in contention in second place as he jumped the last fence.
Afatcat had enough in reserve at the finish to hold Chill who stayed on in the home straight. There was a length and a quarter between the 16/1 shot and the 5/2 chance. Chill had been niggled along before the turn for home, but found more for pressure over the last two to close into a never nearer second. Time Please the 2/1 favourite, couldn’t land a blow on the winner as he finished third, beaten seven and a quarter lengths.
Handler Stephen Mahon said: “When I got him first I thought he would be more of handicapper. We bought him out of Shark Hanlon's to go chasing. He turned in travelling well here in April and the ground just stopped him. He liked the good ground today. He loves fences and he has been schooling over bales and the stone walls of Galway and they have given him a great respect for fences.
“He won over the course and distance last year and it is horses for courses. I ran him over hurdles at Ballinrobe the last day, but he doesn't seem to like it there. His owner John Joe McGrath is from Ballinrobe.”
The winner paid €28.50 for a win on the Tote.
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
