Bright New Dawn wins in style© Photo Healy Racing
< Bright New Dawn banished a Cheltenham no-show to the memory with victory in the Suir Valley Chase at Clonmel.
Despite finishing down the field in the Grand Annual only 13 days ago, the Gordon Elliott-trained nine-year-old was sent off the 5-4 favourite, although he only had one rival behind him for much of the contest.
He cruised into contention as tearaway leader Westerners Son came back to the field and Bryan Cooper didn't have to get too serious to saunter 12 lengths clear of Walk To Freedom < Owennacurra Milan (7-2) taught his younger rivals a lesson in the Slievenamon Beginners Chase.
Despite being in the twilight of his career, the 11-year-old was tackling the bigger obstacles in public for the first time but jumped them with aplomb and bounded five and a half lengths clear of Cairde Aris after the last.
A break of more than seven months proved no hindrance to Ancient Highway in the 19.16 Family Admission Ticket Handicap Hurdle.
Off since scoring at Tramore in August, fitness clearly wasn't an issue for the 8-1 chance because he was towards the front end throughout and had enough in reserve to repel the challenge of Sounds Of Thunder by a length and three-quarters.< Alamein (9-4) ran out a decisive winner of the Easter Holidays Maiden Hurdle.
Even-money favourite Bleu Berry was the only serious challenger to Mouse Morris' charge as they approached the last but he looked held anyway when crashing out, enabling Alamein to coast home 18 lengths clear of Call Vinnie < Laid Back Luke has made the frame more than once so wasn't winning the Ardfinnan Maiden Hurdle out of turn, beating Lake Takapuna by nine lengths as the 5-4 favourite.< Mtada Supreme (9-2) pipped King Blue to the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase spoils, while Jessica and Kate Harrington combined to land the Clonmel Flat Race with Thirsty Work
