Silver Tassie pleases favourite backers Burgage Stud, Leighlinbridge, County Carlow stallion Shantou, responsible for the second winner at Clonmel in Carriganog, also sired the third race scorer when Silver Tassie justified odds-on favouritism in the www.clonmelraces.ie Novice Hurdle. The hurdling of the Davy Condon-ridden Silver Tassie, may not have been as good in the closing stages, as it had been earlier in this two and a half miler. Condon switched out the Patricia Hunt-owned and Noel Meade-trained Listowel Festival second, to deliver his challenge from before the straight. He soon became involved in a protracted duel with old rival Top Cat Henry (beat Silver Tassie in a Wexford maiden hurdle on vastly different ground in July) but the 'jolly' was nicely on top at the finish, triumphing by two and a half lengths. Noel Meade's racing assistant, Nina Carberry remarked: "I'm delighted with him. We were lucky he was entered today after the race being called off at Navan last weekend. "The ground was definitely a bit against him – he'd prefer it a bit better. "Davy said he raced a bit keen today and the ground will determine where he goes next. "He might run on fresh ground – otherwise he'll probably be put away until the spring." (TW & EM)
