O'Brien holds strong hand in Clonmel Joseph O’Brien sends seven runners to his local venue Clonmel this evening where the Melbourne Cup-winning trainer can add to his impressive recent haul of winners. O’Brien firstly sends out Border Control to contest the opening BBQ Evening At Clonmel Races Maiden Hurdle, under his cousin JJ Slevin. The son of Mahler has shown a nice level of ability on his recent outings and faces a slightly easier task than when fourth at Listowel five days ago. O’Brien, who trained an across-the-card treble on Wednesday, bids to add to his haul in the BBQ Evening At Clonmel Mares Handicap Hurdle with the JP McManus-owned Edna. The four-year-old filly was an early faller at Ballinrobe latest but prior to that had shown promise when third at Tipperary and any progression from that run would see her involved. The barbecue gets another plug in the BBQ Evening At Clonmel Beginners Chase, in which the Gordon Elliott-trained Fire In His Eyes bids to make it 12th-time lucky over fences. A bumper and dual hurdle winner, he has proven frustrating to follow over fences but has finished second on five of his last seven starts, is rated 122 over fences and comes here following another solid Wexford silver medal showing on May 23.
