You Can't Catch Me (Brian O'Connell, nearside) just gets up to beat Cloudy Morning© Photo Healy Racing
Cloudy Morning made a bold bid to repeat his 2014 victory, but another previous course winner at Powerstown Park, You Can't Catch Me eventually proved strongest in split one of the Sliabh Na mBan Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel.
Brian O'Connell rode You Can't Catch Me (10s into 8s on track) for Kieran Purcell, and he nailed the Jack Kennedy-ridden front-runner, Cloudy Morning, close home for a head victory.
Cloudy Morning (8s into 7s in the ring and from bigger earlier) didn't go un-backed either, and the front two left Balinaboola Lass all of ten lengths back in third.
"Things are going well and he loves that ground - it's what he has been crying out for," commented Purcell.
"He'll tip away for the summer and will stay hurdling while the ground is like that - he'll jump a fence too no problem."
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, P.W. Murtagh, regarding the failure of J.B. Kane, rider of Scenic Star placed sixth to weigh in after this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that he believed that he had finished seventh and it was an error on his part. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that J.B. Kane was in breach of Rule 227(i) by failing to weigh in and in accordance with Rule 230(ii) they ordered that Scenic Star be disqualified. Furthermore the Stewards cautioned J.B. Kane concerning his responsibilities in this regard.
John J. Walsh, trainer of Sarahs Joy reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge was pulled up having hung left during the race
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Wilde 'N Wide trained by A.J. McNamara, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(TW & EM)
