Watson tops in Clonmel Oil

Watson Lake took the Fortria Chase on his second start of the season last term and the veteran scored on outing number two of the 2009/2010 season when ten days after finishing third in that aforementioned contest behind Big Zeb at Navan, he stepped-up to land the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Steeplechase.

Paul Carberry, who was winning his ninth race aboard the Be My Native gelding (this being the twelfth win of his life), was always on the pace on the easy-to-back 13/2 shot and he fended off One Cool Cookie gamely by a length and three parts. The latter was also runner-up in the two and a half miler last year. Winner of the 2008 renewal, Glenfinn Captain was sent off the 13/8 favourite to follow-up but he could only manage a well-beaten fourth.

Winning owner and trainer, John Corr and Noel Meade were absentees.