Mon Champion of Clonmel Joint favourites Mon Champion and Watermelon battled it out in the Clonmel Show 4th July Handicap Hurdle with Mon Champion and Shay Barry just holding on by a length. Barry produced the son of Montjeu to lead entering the straight and the pair kept on well on from the last under a strong drive to keep Watermelon and Andrew McNamara at bay. Winning trainer Flynn said afterwards: “He will stay handicap hurdling for the time being but he’ll go chasing eventually.” “He likes that kind of ground and the horse has a heart of gold.”
