Clei continues on the right road in feature Bothar Clei like a good wine seems to be getting better with age and the ten-year-old landed some nice bets when taking the featured McCarthy Insurance Group Handicap Chase at Cork. Successful four times in point-to-points and now a four-time winner on the track, the Donie Murphy-trained gelding was following up a Tramore chase victory last month. The 5/2 winner was supported from 7/1 in the morning and 3/1 on track. Former Thyestes Chase winner Jadanli set the pace and was still in front when falling three out, while 2/1 favourite If Not For You fell independently at the same point. Bothar Clei appeared to be going best but Philip Enright waited until after the last before sending him on to beat Sizing Coal by a length and a half. She's Got Grit weakened in the closing stages and was the only other finisher in the five-runner event. Murphy said, "It was hard to know what would have happened with the two fallers but he won snug enough. "There's a handicap chase I've had in mind for him at Naas in February over two and a half miles for novices. He's definitely able to step up in trip and he might make the four miler at Cheltenham, although I don't know whether he'll go there. "My father bred him and I'd love to get him some black type as we still have the family." Enright said, "The two falling at the third last left me in front a bit longer than I wanted but in fairness when Jonny (Burke, on Sizing Coal) came to me he picked up again. He wasn't doing a whole pile in front but in fairness he kept galloping to the line." (TW & AM)
