Clarcam and Kevin Sexton in action at Limerick© Photo Healy Racing
Clarcam won a thrilling climax to the four-runner Dunraven Arms Hotel Hurdle in Limerick by a short head for Gordon Elliott and Kevin Sexton.
This race saw the return to race riding for Bryan Cooper after suffering a horrific leg break when taking a fall from Clarcam at the Cheltenham Festival. He was on board Guitar Pete for Dessie Hughes in this contest.
Multiple Grade One winner Guitar Pete was well supported down to 10/11 favourite on the off, but despite travelling well into second at the penultimate flight he had no more to give on his first run for 162 days and had to settle for third. He came in seven lengths off the battle for first.
Clarcam and Plinth disputed the lead at the second last, but it was Plinth who edged ahead approaching the final hurdle. Both jumped it untidily, but Clarcam got into his stride the quicker and narrowly got the better of his rival to win at 3/1. He was friendless with punters as he opened at 13/8 this morning.
Gordon Elliott said: “Bryan sat up on him the other morning and we thought he’d need the run and Gigginstown were good enough to let him off, but unfortunately it’s not worked out for him. It wasn’t expected but it’s nice.
“He’ll more than likely go chasing now. Touch wood the way he jumps hurdles he should have no problem with fences.”
Bryan Cooper commented: “I left him (Guitar Pete) alone after he was beaten after the second last. He’ll improve a lot for it. It’s Murphy’s Law [Clarcam winning]. It’s great for the boss to win. I’m plenty fit enough.”
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
