Coolmen Hill takes bumper in impressive style

Ellmarie Holden has made a great start to her training career, and she was on the mark again as Coolmeen Hill ran out an impressive winner of the bumper at Clonmel.

The Co. Kilkenny trainer only took out a dual-purpose licence earlier this summer and has already saddled seven winners from just a handful of runners.

The Oscar gelding had shown some promise in three point-to-point outings last season, and was backed down from as high as 11/1 this morning and again on track from 8/1 into 13/2.

Jamie Codd ’s mount was never too far from the pace, and quickly asserted when asked for his effort early in the straight.

The five-year-old drew right away to beat newcomer Carrigready the subject of a wholesale gamble on track from 33/1 into 13/2, by an easy seven and a half lengths. Nulife was a further four and a half lengths away in third, while 9/4 favourite Where’s Me never really got in a blow finishing eighth.

The trainer's father and successful owner Paul Holden said, "Jamie said that he probably isn't a soft ground horse, and to be careful what we do with him now.

"We were unsure whether the bumper route was right as he is very big and scopey, and his future is over fences.

"I don't think we'll run him again until the spring and probably won't do a lot with him until then."

(TW & AM)