Ice Cool confirmed the promise of his Thurles second last month when going one better to justify strong support in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel.

The six-year-old gelding was available at 9/2 earlier in the day, and subsequently well-backed on track from 7/2 into 9/4 favourite.

The support proved well founded as the Val O’Brien-trained gelding led before halfway and, despite a mistake at the last, took this 2m4f event in decisive fashion. Mr Jaggers kept on to get within two and three quarter lengths at the line, with Easy To Find over four lengths further back in third and Cerca Trova weakening in fourth.

O’Brien said, “He’s a very good jumper and will make a nice chaser in time. He might run next at Punchestown (on New Year’s Eve) in a two-mile handicap.”

(TW & AM)