Arvika Ligeonniere jumps the second last ahead of Toner D’Oudairies (right) & Texas Jack (centre)© Photo Healy Racing
< Arvika Ligeonniere got his season off to the ideal start with victory in the Clonmel Oil Chase at the County Tipperary circuit.
The 4-5 favourite has an excellent record when going right-handed and soon shrugged off a mistake on the first circuit to track leader Rubi Light
Ruby Walsh pushed Willie Mullins' charge to the front as Rubi Light faded and a couple of slick leaps at the last two fences sealed a three and a half-length win over Toner D'Oudairies < Ballinahow Lady showed plenty of grit to land the EBF T.A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase.< Avondhu Lady looked to have got the better of the argument when leaping the second last in the lead, but David O'Brien's mare battled back and jumped the last upsides.
Finishing much the best for John Cullen, the 16-1 chance ran on well to score by two and a quarter lengths from the fast-finishing Backinthere who pipped Avondhu Lady for second.< Rubert failed to land a blow in the Fortria Chase at the weekend, but showed the benefit of that run when landing the Prior Park Service Station Clonmel Handicap Chase.
Always to the fore under Robbie Power, the 10-1 chance put in a strong leap at the last to beat New Phase by two and three-quarter lengths.< The Job Is Right produced a determined effort to land the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Michael Hourigan's charge looked beaten when Unic De Bersy edged ahead between the final two flights, but Barry Geraghty galvanised the 10-3 chance and he came away on the run-in to score by a length and three-quarters.
Martin Burke drove Go Paddy Go (2-1 favourite) home in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, while the Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap saw 7-4 favourite Questions Answered score under Rob Jones.< Massini's Brook (12-1) landed the concluding Clonmel Oil Slan Abhaile INH Flat Race.
