Noel Meade's Sir Oj landed the featured E60,000 Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase at Clonmel today earning a 14/1 quote with Boylesports for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham next March.
Ridden by Paul Carberry, the gelding jumped markedly left throughout but made a lot of the running before eventually rallying to deny Kill Devil Hill in the closing stages, for a short head win.
Afterwards a delighted Meade reported 'Paul (Carberry) said Sir Oj hated that ground which was holding and very deep.'
He added 'he normally jumps a little left but was worse today but we have to go where the races are. That is probably his best trip (2m4f) and I'll probably wait until Christmas to run him again.'
Michael O'Brien's Le Toscan ran out the impressive five and a half length winner of the Maurice F. Dougan EBF Novice Hurdle to complete a double for jockey Ruby Walsh.
Afterwards O'Brien's assistant Denis Cullen reported 'Ruby likes him a lot and said he handles soft ground well. There are two good novice races, at Navan and Cork coming up where he may go next.'
He added 'he'll be better when stepped up in distance and will make a nice chaser in time.'
Walsh's earlier winner came in the opening The Sporting Press Handicap Hurdle on Tony Martin's She's Supersonic.
The half sister to To Your Honour was only seventh entering the straight but stayed on well to lead before the last flight, keeping up the gallop for a four length win over Walk In My Shadow.
Trainer Charles Byrnes has done very well to place his Cailin Alainn to win her fourth consecutive race in the Listed EBF T.A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase, winning under another good ride from Davy Russell.
Afterwards Byrnes mentioned 'I was a bit worried about the ground because she is better on better ground. However, she is fairly useful and we might go for the Drinmore Chase with her next.'
The Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap Hurdle saw City Of Sails cause a 25/1 upset for trainer Andrew McNamara and jockey Bobby Molloy.
The son of Flemensfirth raced prominently throughout but needed a forceful drive from Molloy to eventually get his head in front close home for a length win over The Long Haul.
McNamara later explained 'City Of Sails gets a bit claustrophobic and the first-time cheek pieces helped today while Bobby gave him a great ride.'
Paddy Flood can do little wrong at present and the rider partnered Francis Flood's Giolla De to win the Prior Park Service Station Clonmel Handicap Chase.
Fran Flood Jnr, representing his father, later mentioned 'I was only hoping he'd regain his old form but this looked a very weak race and we'll try to find something similar next.'
Thomas Weekes.
