< A Sizing Network registered a deserved victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Captain Christy Rated Novice Chase at Clonmel.
Second on his previous three starts, Jessica Harrington's charge hadn't got his head in front in 15 attempts over fences but that didn't deter punters and he was sent off the 2-1 favourite.
He controlled matters from the front, although there were plenty of challengers queueing up behind turning for home, but he had plenty left in the tank and stayed on strongly to dispose of Sir Abbot by two and three-quarter lengths.< Small World missed out by the narrowest of margins here earlier in the month but made amends with victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh had to scrub the 9-4 favourite along nearing the end of the back straight but his mount picked off his rivals one by one and accounted for Let's Twist Again by half a length.< Arvico Bleu overcame tack problems to justify 4-9 favouritism in the Kilmore Maiden Hurdle.
Bryan Cooper's saddle slipped on Henry de Bromhead's five-year-old, who also nodded when leading at the second-last, but still came home a couple of lengths clear of 100-1 outsider Settimo Milanese < Prince Garyantle turned what looked a competitive Thorney Bridge Novice Handicap Hurdle into an absolute procession.
Matthew Smith's 10-1 chance took the lead off Ned's Island on the run to the penultimate obstacle and careered away without Andrew Lynch having to get serious at all, crossing the line with 23 lengths in hand of Chance It < Doldido (7-1) hadn't been seen since finishing third on his debut at Cork back in March but has clearly strengthened during his time off because he fought hard to deny Motcomb Street by half a length in the Laganore Maiden Hurdle.< Billy De Kid (10-1) was a determined winner of the Tickincor Handicap Chase, while 6-1 shot Itsonlyrocknroll took the Clonmel Flat Race for Willie and Patrick Mullins.
