Clonguile Way (right) and Lord Lariat jump the last © Photo Healy Racing
The Europrint Wicklow Handicap Chase turned into a war of attrition on the rain softened ground, with Clonguile Way (9/1) coming out on top under Conor Maxwell for Gavin Cromwell.
Towards rear and not travelling for much of the contest, the seven-year-old gelding, who won a point-to-point for William O'Doherty, was pushed along from halfway.
Ridden in tenth from five out, the son of Double Eclipse made rapid headway to lead at the third last.
He was challenged by Lord Lariat from the next, but battled on gamely to see off that rival by a length and quarter.
The runner-up was returned the 3/1 favourite under Donagh Meyler for Karl Thornton, while the front-running Bellgrove (40/1) was another twenty-seven lengths back in third. Rubiana (11/1) was two and a quarter lengths away in fourth, with just eight of the seventeen who set out for this two mile six furlong heat managing to complete the course.
Assistant trainer Feidhlim Cunningham said: "We picked him up for small enough money during the lockdown. He let us down a couple of times and he's a funny one.
"Conor said he wasn't really going for the first mile and a half and then he said he ended up getting there too soon. He stuck it out well.
"He's in the sales at Doncaster and we'll probably run him over hurdles before that. He seems versatile ground wise."
STEWARDS REPORTS
D.F. O'Regan, rider of Give Him Time (GB) trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake at the first.
G.B. Noonan, rider of Fairymount Boy trained by Michael P. Hourigan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle todays going and was pulled up.
The Stewards interviewed J.C. Canavan, rider of Ringrone Castle concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found J. C. Canavan in breach of Regulation 10.3.(G), excessive frequency and (i), time to respond. Having considered J. C. Canavans record in this regard the Stewards suspended J. C. Canavan for two racedays.
The Stewards interviewed D. Meyler, rider of Lord Lariat, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that one of the riders strikes was for corrective purposes and as the remaining number of strikes did not breach Regulation 10 they took no further action.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
