Clarens follows-up on Listowel success

Clarens followed-up on his win at Listowel, as he got the better of Ricky Bobby in the Dan & May Arnold Memorial Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

Always towards the head of affairs under Jack Foley, the John Flavin trained four-year-old travelled strongly on the outer approaching the straight and soon led.

He made a mistake at the second last and was soon pressed by Ricky Bobby. That one then blundered at the final flight, with Clarens keeping on well to prevail by a length-and-a-quarter.

Ricky Bobby (17/2) had to settle for second under Ambrose McCurtin for John Joe Walsh, while Elite Des Mottes (11/2) was another five lengths back in third. Indian Admiral was sent off the 7/2 favourite and he finished a disappointing eighth.

Flavin, who trains the winner for the Miracle Racing Syndicate, said: "He won nicely at Listowel but there was five last time out winners in this so I wasn't sure how he'd get on. I wasn't sure after all the rain too because he is only a handy little horse. I was just hopeful that he would handle the ground.

"Jack gave him a good ride, he went wide and kept holding on to him. They didn't go quick and he was sort of in the best spot then, he got to go at the right time. He missed the second last and my heart was in my mouth but thankfully he stayed going well.

"Today was the plan, so I'll have to go home and look to see what is there for him. He stayed battling the whole way to the line today and he might get a bit further.

"There is a lot of people with shares in the syndicate and they are from the UK, Waterford and Kilkenny. Decky McKenna and Johnny Ryan got the group set up."