Double for Swan as Cloone fends them off

The 10yo veteran Cloone Rocket (16/1) fended off all challengers as he took the Kieran Kelly Memorial Beginners Chase under John Cullen to provide his trainer Charlie Swan with a double on the card (took the first with Rodriguez .

The son of Pistolet Bleu had just one run so far this year finishing last of ten behind Steps To Freedom on the all-weather at Dundalk in July.

Just like Rodriguez in the first, Swan was clearly waiting for good ground for this fellow as he was taken out of four of his last five engagements due to the ground conditions.

On just his third start over fences this evening and his first since July of last year, he tracked the leaders for much of the race before making headway to lead after the fourth last.

He was ridden along after two out and made a mistake at the last when pressed for the lead. However he kept on well under pressure on the run-in to score by a length at the line.

There was a wall of horses coming after him and the judge was called upon to determine the second and third finishers.

The Pauline Gavin trained The Lady Granuaile (20/1) just held off Jack Cool (7/2) for second by a short head while Sicilian Secret was a nose back in fourth with the fast finishing Brega Queen just a head behind in fifth at 18/1. El Fontan was sent off the well backed 2/1 favourite (9/2 this morning and reached 100/30 on track) for Gordon Elliott and Bryan Cooper but he could only finish a disappointing eleventh.

Winning trainer Charlie Swan said afterwards: "Mother of God what a ride! He is not the most natural of jumpers and he doesn’t get very high.

"He’s been a grand old horse and it’s good to get back in the winners enclosure with him.

"He needs fast ground and we have been dodging the ground with him all summer."

The versatile gelding was recording his seventh career success today adding to his bumper win, three successes over hurdles and his two victories on the level.

(On-course reporting by Gary Carson)