The Damian English-trained Indian Tomahawk stayed on gamely inside the final furlong to grab victory close home in the opening claimer at Clonmel this afternoon.

4/6 favourite Specific Gravity looked booked for victory in the contest, run just shy of ten furlongs, when hitting the front passing the two pole.

He started to tread water in the closing stages, however, and Indian Tomahawk, who had chased front-runner Illusive Force for most of the race, stuck to his task well to hit the front close home under Shane Foley.

The Sleeping Indian gelding got up for a head victory at odds of 11/2. Mack Miller ran on well inside the final furlong to take third close home, a further neck back.

The winner had been rated 85 at the height of his career but had dropped down the weights after an unsuccessful winter campaign at Dundalk.

Foley said afterwards:- "When those horses have couple of races, they always have the ability and it's just about getting it out of him.

"We went a bit slow and then sprinted and Colin's horse seemed to get a bit lonely in front. My lad picked up and his head was in front at the right time."

Damian English was successful with a 'friendly' €5,000 claim for the winner.

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)