The three miles Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap Hurdle proved a real test of endurance in wet and windy conditions, with The Shepherd produced with a perfectly timed challenge by Davy Condon to land the spoils. Baily View (25/1) appeared to travelling best of all when arriving full of running to take it up on the outer early in the straight but Condon bided his time on Gordon Elliott's charge.
The 4/1 second favourite jumped to the front at the last, and kept on best to beat Baily View by a length and so end a frustrating sequence of placings. The pair pulled seven lengths clear of The Bay Lad in third.
Whinstone Lad pulled too hard on his reappearance and faded from two out, while the well-backed favourite A New Story (5/1-7/2) was in trouble a long way out and could only manage eighth.
Elliott said, "He deserved that after being placed on his last few runs, and Davy gave him a great ride. He'll go to Fairyhouse for a three mile handicap later this month."
