Lucky Zebo about to touch down after the last© Photo Healy Racing
Favourite backers have had a rough night of it in Clonmel, but strong-travelling Lucky Zebo paid them out in race seven - the extended 2m3f handicap hurdle for horses rated 80-109.
This brought up a double for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore after the success of Gentleman Joe in the novice hurdle.
Lucky Zebo was still on the bridle for Blackmore as he came to lead two out. He moved a couple of lengths clear at the final flight and strode away to score by three and a-half lengths at 11/5.
The places were occupied by Dancing Jeremy (11/1) and Emir De Rots (20/1) in second and third respectively.
"Rachael was brilliant on him and I'm delighted for the Mahers who are great supporters of ours and had a lot of good horses over the years. It would be great if he could get somewhere near them and we're progressing," de Bromhead said.
"We'll keep to handicaps, he won in Kilbeggan previously on nice ground so will run through the summer and he is a real chaser as well. I'm delighted with him."
The Mahers owned the 1993 Triumph Hurdle winner Shawiya.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
