Review CLONMEL 1ST NOV

What looked beforehand like a rather mundane card at Clonmel quickly turned into a dramatic one when a loose horse managed to get off the track and hurtled through the enclosures.

Treasure Kate, trained by Jessica Harrington, unseated her rider at the first flight in the opening three year-old hurdle, and managed to find her way through the course's perimeter.

Patrons were soon scattering in all directions as the frightened animal careered first past the stands, and then through the betting ring before eventually being caught.

Amazingly, the filly was reported unscathed after the incident by her trainer, who went close to winning the race itself with Sandymount Alice, denied only in the closing stages by favourite Summer Break.

Of the latter, Tony Mullins remarked 'This filly has been a bit difficult at home, but Charlie (Swan) did well to keep her covered up so long. I also trained her dam Out In The Sun, who was a good jumping mare.'

Swan notched a brace as Catch Ball made it a hat-trick of wins in the space of twelve days with a cosy success over Mr Red Banner in the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

'She's done well for a four year-old to run so often in such a short space of time, and we'll have to step her up to better-class handicaps now', said trainer Willie Mullins.

'Charlie thinks she'll get three miles as well', he added.

Over The Furze (1/1 - 4/5f) was probably the best-backed horse of the day, and justified the confidence in some style in the 2m4f beginners' chase.

The seven year-old jumped superbly for Conor O'Dwyer apart from a minor error at the last, and won hard held.

A lack of suitable races over fences may mean that this promising sort reverts to hurdles for his next outing, according to handler John Berry.

There was an exciting conclusion to the 2m4f handicap hurdle, with Garrett Cotter galvanising Queen Of Country to snatch victory from fellow 9/2 shot Indian Glen in the dying stides.

The jockey was back in the winners' enclosure after the 2m Novice Hurdle when scoring on Morning Breeze, likewise trained by Tim Doyle.

This filly was already getting the better of a duel with market rival McCracken when that one blundered at the last, and may now head to Cheltenham next weekend.

McCracken's rider Barry Geraghty eased his mount on the run-in, a move which earned him a three-day suspension when he was deprived of second by Geodalus.

The pilot had also been in hot water after the opener when he was given a four-day ban after an incident entering the straight, and now finds himself out of action from November 10th to 23rd inclusive.

Geraghty did at least end the day on a happy note when taking the handicap chase on Peggy's Lad, who was bouncing back from a poor effort at Thurles last week.

Willie Mullins, another securing his second victory of the day, put the upturn in his charge's fortunes down to a change in tactics.

Back In Debt (8/1) was prominent throughout to take the bumper for the father/daughter combination of Tom and Adrienne Foley.

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