Clonmeen needed every yard of the extended 2m7f trip to run down Kings Halo in the Tote, Never Beaten By SP Handicap Chase at Punchestown.

Kings Halo put in a stout effort off the front and still stuck to his task on the run-in, however, Simon Torrens galvanised a strong finish from staying-on Clonmeen who got up in the final stride to deliver by a head at 4/1 to foil the 11/4 favourite.

Clonmeen followed up on a 3m handicap chase victory at Down Royal in November.

Trainer Willie Murphy said: “The horses were all sick for about six weeks and it’s great to see them back in form.

“That was tight for comfort, but it was a tough performance, and the main thing is he won.

“We might think about something like the National Trial back here.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee