Review clonmel 29th Sep

Henry de Bromhead had mixed fortunes at Clonmel, with Heron Heights triumph in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Captain Christy Rated Novice Chase the high point.

Last seen letting down favourite-backers in a Kilbeggan handicap at the start of August, the 13-2 chance was back in novice company and was one of four in with a shout at the penultimate obstacle.< Swantykay s departure left three, but Heron Heights was travelling much the best and stretched away to beat Duckweed by eight and a half lengths.

De Bromhead's Little Folke looked likely to win the Kilmore Maiden Hurdle quite comfortably when she went clear between the final two flights and while she held on by a head from Solar Heat (9-1), the stewards decided that her rider Davy Russell struck Solar Heat with his whip in the closing stages and the placings were reversed.< Trade Marked turned what appeared to be a competitive Thorney Bridge Novice Handicap Hurdle into a procession.

Augustine Leahy's 12-1 shot could be spotted swinging on the bridle turning into the straight and after taking it up two out, sauntered six lengths clear of Balinaboola Lass < Blackthorn Prince continued his forward momentum with a gritty victory in the Nire Valley Handicap Hurdle.

The 5-2 favourite was up 9lb from last month's Ballinrobe success but he challenged Cadawill and A Decent Excuse at the last and saw out the three miles best of all to beat the latter by three-quarters of a length.< Mr Nicolls made a successful racecourse introduction in the Laganore Maiden Hurdle.

The Tony Mullins-trained 14-1 chance was tackled at the last by favourite Creative Talent with neither particularly fluent, but Mr Nicolls pulled out plenty to fend off the late challenge of Light That by half a length in the hands of the in-from Danny Mullins.

Mullins jnr doubled up on Dark Outsider (4-1) in the Tickincor Handicap Chase, while Coolmeen Hill ran away with the Clonmel Flat Race.