Review clonmel 7th Apr

Dessie Hughes warmed up for his double Grand National assault with a brace at Clonmel, kicked off by Datokepe (2-1 favourite) in division one of the Slievenamon Maiden Hurdle.

Bryan Cooper took his mount to the front at the expense of Mayo Mystique on the turn for home and though Willie Mullins' Rattan threw down a challenge, Datokepe had plenty in reserve to register a five-length victory.

Cooper and Hughes, who saddles Vic Venturi and In Compliance at Aintree, added to that triumph when Schinkel sprung a 25-1 surprise in the second division.< Dr Anubis looked most likely to pass the post first when crossing Luke's Benefit to hit the front on the run to the second-last, but he wavered and Cooper conjured a late rattle out of Schinkel to get up close home.

Following the defeat of Rattan, Mullins was again out of luck when Killultagh Queen suffered a last-fence fall in the Clonmel Mares Beginners Chase.

The odds-on favourite crashed out when a close-up third, paving the way for 7-1 chance Pretty Happy to defeat Annie May and Sunwake < Memories Of Milan confirmed the promise of his Navan second when digging deep to prevail in the Powerstown Maiden Hurdle.

John Queally's 11-8 market leader went tooth and nail with the game Barel Of Laughs in the closing stages and just held on by half a length.< Burnt Oil Babe looked like atoning for a Limerick tumble when cruising to the front in the Racing At Clonmel On Holy Thursday Handicap Chase, but Jacks Island (11-1) suddenly hit top gear after the final fence to collect the prize for Philip Rothwell.< Tilly Ann (6-1) relished the drop back to an extended two miles and ran on really well to claim the Hospice Go Racing April 21st Mares Handicap Hurdle, while the concluding Comeragh Beginners Chase went the way of Scouting Party with Tim Carroll adding to his earlier win on Memories Of Milan.