Simannka and Pat Smullen© Photo Healy Racing
< Simannka made her supporters sweat but just came out on top on her return to action in the West Gate Median Auction Race at Clonmel.< Tonkinese was a bit reluctant to go into the stalls but there was nothing wrong with his attitude in the race itself and he proved a worthy foe from the front for Simannka.
Dermot Weld's 4-6 favourite headed Tonkinese halfway down the straight but he wouldn't lie down and Pat Smullen had to pull out all the stops on the market leader to keep her in front by a short head.< Invincible Lia confirmed the promise of her comeback fourth at Dundalk with victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
With Creme De La sent off the 4-5 market leader, Willie McCreery's filly was available at 100-30 and showed a better turn of foot than the favourite, sweeping past a furlong out before holding her two and a quarter lengths at bay.
Youth won the day as Birthplace the only three-year-old in the line-up, came out on top in the Clonmel Racecourse Supporters Club Evening May 19th Handicap.
Ana O'Brien kept the 7-2 joint-favourite close to the front-running Ruler Of France before asking him for maximum effort, and he showed a pleasing attitude to fend off Storm Ranger by three-quarters of a length.< Escape Paradise was officially the best horse in the St. Patrick's Well Claiming Race and Colm O'Donoghue kept it simple, positioning the 7-4 favourite at the head of affairs before quickening four lengths clear of Society Ranger < Mademoiselle Penny put up a very game performance from the front to defy top weight in the BBQ Race Evening Friday June 10th Handicap, with market support forcing her down to 9-2 favourite at the off.< Storm Away seemed to have the Tipperary Perpetual Cup Handicap sewn up when shooting clear after the two-furlong pole, but he was caught by Cliff House (10-1), who went on to score by a couple of lengths.
