The first two home were well-backed in the two-and-a-half mile handicap chase at Clonmel this evening and Mallards In Flight proved strongest in the finish to beat Five O'clock Tea

Mallards In Flight was returning to handicap company having unseated in a Grade 2 novice last time.

Gavin Cromwell 's charge was backed from 10/1 this morning into 9/2 and eventually went off an 11/2 shot on course.

She was delivered to lead going to the second last by Paul Carberry and produced fine leaps over the final two fences.

10/3 favourite Five O'clock Tea (13/2 this morning) gave chase going to the last but could only get within a length-and-a-half of the winner.

"We ran her in a Grade 2 at Limerick hoping to get black-type but she unseated when she may have finished third," said Cromwell.

"For a mare, she is as genuine as they come and, if she comes out of this ok, will run at Fairyhouse over 2m6f on Monday."

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)