Clondaw gets up to justify favouritism

Clondaw Court went off the 2/9 favourite for the opening race of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, the Bookmakers Bar At Bewleys Hotel Leopardstown Maiden Hurdle, but he was made to work hard for his win.

The six-year-old son of Court Cave raced in fourth for much of the contest under Ruby Walsh, before moving closer to the leaders at the second last.

He was under pressure from the early straight, and despite a mistake at the last, he grounded out the win, keeping on well on the run-in to get up by a head. Little Rocky (10/1) was the one who put it up to him, but he had to settle for second in the end, under Bryan Cooper for Dessie Hughes.

Willie Mullins said afterwards of his Rich Ricci owned gelding: "I'm happy that he won, but we probably should have made the running with him, to make more use of him.

"I haven't talked to Ruby or Rich yet, but I would think we will be stepping him up in trip now, two and a half miles plus from now on."