Ben Dalton was seen to good effect as he partnered 7/1 shot Sumkindasuprstar to a hard-earned victory in the Lisronagh Novice Handicap Chase at Clonmel.

The eight-year-old gelding, who provided Kilkenny handler John Clifford with his last winner when successful at Limerick on St. Stephen’s Day, showed admirable battling qualities to land the two and a half miles event. The Book Thief (12/1) took over in front from the grey Toomdeely early on the final circuit, and was still at the head of affairs entering the straight.

However a mistake two out and a more serious blunder at the last put paid to his chance as Code Of The West (11/2) loomed up as the main threat on the run-in.

But the latter found precious little on the uphill stretch to the line, and Dalton’s mount ultimately recorded a three quarters of a length verdict over The Book Thief as Code Of The West weakened tamely another two and a half lengths away in third.

Winning owner Larry O’Connor said, “We were going to wait a while but he was in such good form that we had to run him.”