Clara "a lovely" chaser in the making Placed in a couple of bumper outings, Clara Sorrento got off the mark at the third time of asking over hurdles today in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel. Uneasy in the market 4/5 chance Sharps Choice dropped to third and was beaten from before the straight. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned and Noel Meade trained Clara Sorrento (9/1) then led approaching two out from the pace-setting Without Limites. Bryan Cooper kept his mount going up the run-in to prevail by a convincing four lengths from his aforementioned rival. There were twenty eight lengths and a half a length back to the third and fourth home, Goaheadmakemyday and Sharps Choice. "He jumped well and they went a nice gallop. Brian (O'Connell on Without Limites) tried to force it but I knew my lad had a bit of speed and tried to save him as long as I could. He'll make a lovely chaser in time," said Cooper. D.E. Splaine, rider of Veneziano Springs (FR) trained by Terence O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran keen early on. (AM & EM)
