Review TIPPERARY 12TH APR

Odds-on this morning but easy to back afterwards, Clopf made an nonsense of that drift in the market when impressively returning to action after a 130 day break from action.

Fran Berry was always sitting pretty on the high class National Hunt performer in this 1m 6f event and once hitting the front a furlong and a half out the 2/1 favourite pulled clear quickly.

Alpha Jet stayed on well for the runner-up spot, 3 1/2L adrift of the Edward O'Grady-trained, now likely Punchestown-bound Clopf.

Amazingly the last four times the Clongowes colours of Bernard Anthony Heffernan and Andrew Heffernan have been seen in action on the track, they have returned to the winner's enclosure.

Golden Empire began the run for the owners at Downpatrick two and a half weeks ago, he followed-up at Gowran, Makishma triumphed on Monday at Cork and Clopf made it four here.

A E115,000 yearling half-brother to ten winners including Tipsy Creek and Abunawwas, Speed Dream is well-named as he showed in the winners of 1 sprint in a time of 57.83 seconds.

David Wachman's chestnut, owned by Joe Joyce was described by his handler as a very late foal who ran well on his debut before disappointing next time when his horses were a bit in and out.

Wayne Lordan's mount beat fellow maiden, Divert, by a head. Wachman also said, 'I don't know where we will go now, we will see what the handicapper does - he'll be an even nicer horse next year.'

Wachman and Lordan registered a double when morning-mover Followmyfootsteps (7/2 then, but 5/4 to 5/2 on course) beat Eskadron and Satu (5/2 into 11/8 favourite) by 1 3/4L and a head.

Inzone with a run under her belt was expected to take the opener and those that took 7/2 this morning were on good terms with themselves for much as Declan McDonogh steered the 11/4 favourite to victory.

Porto Marmay also did the business following an introductory effort for Inzone's trainer, Ken Condon, that one victorious on Monday at Cork.

Celeberry for James Burns (who endured a forgettable 2006), tried to challenge as Inzone hung off the rail but that colt was still half a length adrift at the line.

Declan McDonogh later completed a double on Ela Enta for Kevin Prendergast. Despite giving a couple of flashes of her tail, she still beat off Joshua's Princess by a length.

The aforementioned James Burns was part breeder of the shock 20/1 winner of the apprentice h'cap, Copper Dock. This one was steered by Amy Kathleen Parsons for Tom McCourt.

For the 21 year old successful pilot it was a sixth success, this one being for her boss. McCourt said, 'it is grand to get off the mark for the season and Amy was good on him.'

Copper Dock, a 20/1 shot, won by 1L and paid E56.90 on the tote. Gamble, Nell's Girl (20s in the morning into 10/1) finished 2nd, whilst, Cesar Manrique (10s in the morning into 6s) was 5th.

Her dam Azra was placed in a Moyglare and despite having the worst of the draw in sixteen, Asafa put up a dominant peformance in the closing h'cap for Jim Bolger and Davy Moran, winning by a comfortable 1/2L.