Brian Hayes after his Clonmel double© Photo Healy Racing
Brian Hayes has been on the score-sheet twice before, at meetings in the past, and the Cork rider was at it again at the impressive odds of 509/1 when Old Supporter s success at Clonmel added to his earlier gains at Powerstown Park on Araku Valley
Old Supporter, a 14/1 chance, firmly put the memory of a poor effort at Downpatrick, just last Friday, in the past, on this differing ground over a shorter trip.
A change of tactics may have helped too as the Sunshine Street gelding made all, keeping on well from before the last to account for Tico by three lengths.
Old Supporter, a point-to-point and Wexford handicap chase victor before, represents owner/breeder Louis Hill and trainer Peter McCreery.
Two and a half miles on the chase course at Clonmel can go by pretty quick and favourite here Fiery Oscar was always on the back-foot.
Johnny Cullen 's mount hit the fifth fence (second last with a circuit to go) and it soon wasn't looking good for the 11/10 favourite who came home in sixth place. (TW & EM)
