Sunnyvilla has backers smiling

The Donie Hassett-trained Sunnyvilla landed a serious gamble when running out a cosy winner of the handicap chase at Clonmel this afternoon.

Having traded at 25/1 this morning the Mustameet gelding was punted right down into 3/1 favourite at the off.

Philip Enright gave the six-year-old a confident ride and his mount came there swinging between horses going to the second last in the two-and-a-half mile contest.

He gave backers a slight scare at the penultimate fence when getting in close but produced a big and bold leap at the last before going on to post an easy five-length win over Presenting Point

Hassett said:- "He did it well and we were expecting a good run. He disappointed us in the spring when all my horses were sick but he came back in a different horse.

"We got the hay tested and had aspergillus.

"We took him to the Junction (Tipperary racecourse) there last week and he won a (schooling) maiden hurdle and we were very impressed. Yer man that rode him said, with his rating, he'd take beating wherever he'll go.

"He disappointed us in his point to points but they can do that the odd time - today was the day anyway!"

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)