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Alpha Des Obeaux too slick in Clonmel Oil Chase

3 minute read

Alpha Des Obeaux returned to form with a clear-cut win in the Clonmel Oil Chase for Mouse Morris.

After early leaders Tiger Roll and Champagne West had dropped away, the race was between three Gigginstown House Stud runners and it was Alpha Des Obeaux and Sean Flanagan who pulled five and a half lengths clear of A Toi Phil.

Morris, winning the race for a third time after Belvederian and War Of Attrition, said of the 7-1 winner: "H e had run two good races this year and my horses, the ones that are capable enough, are all running well this year also."

The trainer continued: "He was sick last year, but hasn't run a bad race this season - he hasn't burst like he did in the spring.

"I'd say he could go back to handicaps now, but I'll see what the lads (O'Learys) want to do. The year before last he was always just falling a bit short (at Grade One level) and is just that bit short of the real McCoy."

Dinaria Des Obeaux (4-6 favourite) was an easy winner of the T.A. Morris Memorial Irish EBF Mares Chase.

In receipt of lumps of weight as a four-year-old and carrying just 9st 11lb, Gordon Elliott's mare, who was sent off just 10-1 for the Triumph Hurdle in March, jumped like an old hand on her second start over fences.

Miss Eyecatcher tried to stretch her in the last mile, but failed to even get Jack Kennedy's mount off the bridle as she cruised to a 22-length win.

"It was a nice race to win with her and was important for breeding," said Elliott.

"Her jumping was good and maybe going a little bit further suited as it was all happening a little quick for her the last day at Wexford over two miles.

"We'll keep her in graded races now and might run her in the Drinmore Chase, getting all the allowances - why not, as we've nothing to lose now and if you're not in you can't win."

Earlier Elliott and Kennedy won the Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap Hurdle with Folsom Blue (10-1) on his first run for the yard and part-owned by At The Races presenter Gary O'Brien.

"I'm not taking the blame for buying him and it was definitely Gary who picked him at the sales. He had his eye on him and thought he had a low enough mark for some of those hurdles," said Elliott.

"He has a high enough mark to get into some of those big races like the Welsh National and something like that or the Paddy Power is going to be the plan."

Elliott and Kennedy also combined to score on Hardline (1-3 favourite) in the Prior Park Service Station Clonmel Hurdle to take the trainer to 99 winners for the season.

The County Meath handler did not have to wait long for the century as Warlike Intent (5-6 favourite) obliged in the Clonmel Oil Slan Abhaile Flat Race in the hands of Lisa O'Neill.

"All credit to Gordon and the team at home and it's a pleasure to be getting on horses like that. There's a lot of hard work that goes on at home," said O'Neill.


At The Races

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