His father Robert was yesterday re-appointed to his position as chef d'Equipe of the Irish Showjumping team but on Thursday it was David Splaine's time to shine as he guided home Letterlee Star to win the Rock Of Cashel Handicap Chase at Thurles.

A son of Thyestes heroine, Letterlee, the victorious progeny of Old Vic showed he has stamina in abundance to beat the gambled-on Mr Bb (14s into 7s on track, bigger this morning) by nine lengths.

Emphasising the testing nature of the conditions, only five of the fifteen that set out, completed, and the favourite, Ponmeword finished last after getting tired in the latter stages and making a mistake at the last.

Michael McDonagh owns and trains the now nine-year-old Letterlee Star. The chestnut now has three wins to his name, including a handicap hurdle at this venue.

The successful County Clare handler always has a few youngsters coming through for the jumping game. Indeed he introduced a couple of four-year-olds at Belharbour lately with a French-bred well-related type, Le Posh Frog running satisfactorily to finish fourth. (AM & EM)