Michael Graham
Womalko seals across-the-card four-timer for Elliott
Womalko, near side, hunts down Carrolls Cottage on the run-in
© Photo Healy Racing
Womalko got the job done under a strong drive from Sam Ewing in the novice handicap chase at Clonmel to give Gordon Elliott an across-the-card four-timer.
The 5/6 favourite made progress into third at the penultimate fence and he closed in second at the last where a good jump enabled him to collar Carrolls Cottage in the closing stages of the run-in.
He won by half a length from the 12/1 runner-up. Pennywell Girl was six lengths adrift in third at 28/1.
Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus, said: "I wasn't too sure for a long time and he needed a good leap at the last to get there. I was surprised he came under pressure so far out,but in fairness to him he kept pulling it out and did enough.
"You'd wonder what trip he really wants but he would go farther anyway. It was nice to get a win out of him and needed to be running from his mark. He handles the ground and will win again.
"Sam gave him a lovely ride and is an up-and-coming lad."
Elliott had a treble at Clonmel that comprised Floueur (5/1) and Santonito (6/5f). His Poseidon (10/3) also took the honours in a selling hurdle at Taunton today, beating the 1/2 favourite Wajaaha trained by Charles Byrnes.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes