Cluan Dara negotiates the final obstacle© Photo Healy Racing
A patient race was ridden by Bryan Cooper on Cluan Dara and it paid off as the pair strode away with the extended two mile five handicap chase in Tramore.
Cluan Dara, who was runner-up in this contest last year, made steady headway to jump the penultimate fence in third.
The 11/1 shot soon grabbed second and was still on the bridle as he took over from a ridden Carnet De Stage coming to the last.
He jumped it well and kept on to win by a length and three parts to Carnet De Stage (17/2). Direct Image was a short head off the runner-up in third at 20/1.
Trainer John Ryan said: Bryan gave him a peach of a ride. He rode him with great confidence. Bryan is riding a few for me now as we patiently wait for Danny (Mullins) to return. Hopefully Danny will be back for Listowel.
"He is a tricky horse but that was his third win over fences. My daughter Gillian was second on him to Samcro in a real hot bumper at Fairyhouse. He won his maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse but got a tendon injury after and lost his way.
"He will go to Listowel now, everything I have will be going to Listowel! I love that place."
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
