Golanbrook comes away from the second last with plenty of drama behind© Photo Healy Racing
The second last fence often plays a pivotal role in deciding the outcome of chases at Clonmel, and that point was never more illustrated than in the Kilsheelan Beginners Chase where Golanbrook ultimately came home virtually alone.
The two miles and three furlongs event looked set to serve up a good finish as four horses raced towards the penultimate fence but only narrow leader Golanbrook made it safely to the other side.
The 4/5 favourite Kalmann appeared to be travelling best when falling at this point, while Teelin Star and Worldor also fell independently when close-up.
Andrew McNamara was unaware of the drama behind and rode out the 9/4 winner to come home all of 79 lengths clear of the only other finisher He Rock’s.
Ruby Walsh, John Cullen and a shaken Andrew Lynch all walked away from the scene.
McNamara said, “He’s a very idle horse and I don’t know what the others had left. I took a look behind and Ruby was travelling well going to the second last but I didn’t know they were all after going at that fence.”
Winning trainer Tom Foley said, “We were due it. He met some nice horses on his last few runs and luck was on our side today. In fairness the other fellow wasn’t running away either and they are there to be jumped.
“The handicapper hasn’t been too good to us and this fellow is rated 127. It’s very hard to know where to go and he’s lacking six or seven lengths to be a really decent horse.
“We are struggling out in the middle of a river and which ditch to go for is hard to know!”
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
