Brian O'Connell gave Whiskey And Rye a well judged ride as he claimed the Minorstown Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel.

Fiery Oscar looked set to score in the two-mile event when hitting the front turning for home but was tracked through by John Joe Walsh's charge.

The well-backed 7/2 favourite (from 5/1) was ridden to tackle Fiery Oscar after the second last and got his measure jumping the final flight.

The Catcher In The Rye gelding kept on well on the run-in to post a two-and-a-quarter length success.

The winner had slipped up early on his last appearance, at Limerick over Christmas, but had some decent placed efforts to his name previously.

“He was a bit unlucky at Limerick the last day when he stumbled and we thought he had a right chance today,” said Walsh.

“We'll try and find another little race for him.”

Walsh also revealed that the winning owner Tom Burrage is a businessman based neared London.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)