Footy appreciates drop in grade

Footy Facts found the company of the Prior Park Service Station Clonmel Handicap Chase to his liking and despite top-weight and proving very easy in the market, the good class hurdler ran out a convincing five and a half length winner under Philip Enright.

In front after three out, Robert Tyner's gelding stayed on well from the last to dispose of the keeping on at one pace favourite, Glenquest (7s in the morning and 3s into 15/8 on track).

There were six fences omitted from this two and a half miler prompting Tyner to comment: "He thought he was back in the Curragh with all the fences missing! He won his bumper there. The more of them (fences) they took out the better for him. He won't be going for the Paddy Power or anything like that as the fences would be too big for him. It'll be more of the same for him because he just doesn't have the scope for the big fences."

Happily Hairy Molly got up after taking a very heavy fall at the second last.