Prince Garyantle returned to form in no uncertain terms when taking the Thorney Bridge Novice Handicap Hurdle in runaway fashion at Clonmel.

The seven-year-old made most of the running to win twice earlier this year at Tramore and Kilbeggan, and Matthew Smith’s charge was prominent throughout again here.

Andrew Lynch ’s mount went clear before two out in this 2m4f event, and stayed on strongly to score by no less than 23 lengths. Chance It took the runner-up spot, with top-weight Sweet Home Chicago another three and a quarter lengths back in third.

Smith said, "I wasn't expecting him to win by that far and I was a little worried about the ground. I didn't think the ground would be a problem but we haven't ran him on that ground before. It seemed not a bother to him though.

"We'll try and pick out another race next but will leave fences to next year."

Lynch said, “He’s hacked up. He likes to get on with it and I didn’t want to disappoint him. He won over three miles before and we said we’d make plenty of use of him.”

(TW & AM)