Cliste swoops late under Hannon

James Hannon partnered his first winner under rules in over four years, and just his third in total, when Anseanachai Cliste got up in the final strides of a thrilling finish to the Glenview And Rathbarry Stud Novice Hunters Chase at Tipperary. James was sent off the red-hot 9/10 favourite and appeared to be travelling well after striking the front three out.

However he folded quickly early in the straight and Firmount Gent looked the likely winner approaching the bypassed final fence.

Again the picture changed on the run-in as Anseanachai Cliste came home strongest to get up for a short-head verdict. Smash Mor was a further length and a half back in third, while James weakened to finish sixth.

Winning trainer Pat O’Connor said, “We couldn’t sell him as his sire, Bach, is not fashionable but he’s a good, tough horse. We’ll let him off now and he’ll come back in novice chases.”

Hannon, whose last winner under rules was gained on Kind Oscar in a mares novice chase at Clonmel in March 2010, has been a lot more successful on the point-to-point circuit.

He gained a 50th success in that sphere last Sunday in Ballindenisk, and commented on this latest success, “He’s extremely tough, and stays very well.”

(TW & AM)