JIM DREAPER said he was "happy enough" with Merry Gale's performance in yesterday's Morris Oil Chase at Clonmel. Those who backed him down to 6 to 4 favourite might have had different feelings as the big eight year old trailed home more than 15 lengths adrift of all the way winner, Royal Mountbrowne.

However, considering Merry Gale was without a race since being pulled up with a respiratory problem in the King George VI Chase at Kempton last January and had undergone a tie back operation the following month, he jumped well among the leaders until tiring on the downhill run to the straight.

Merry Gale, who was meeting his rivals on most advantageous terms, looked straight and this may have influenced his supporters. But in his case looks can be deceptive. Explained his handler: "The worse he looks the better he runs. He is not as fit as his rivals and Mark Dwyer said he did not come down the hill second time round. But he was struggling.

"As always, the horse will take a couple of races to get him fully fit," continued Dreaper. If he was satisfied with Merry Gale's showing he was also very relieved that his charge had made "very little noise" after the race. Hopefully, those respiratory problems are now behind him. He will reappear in Punchestown's MMI Stockbrokers Chase over two miles and five furlongs on December 7th, and this race marks the seasonal reappearance of the GoldCup winner, Imperial Call.

Recent Punchestown winner Royal Mountbrowne was recording his eighth success over fences. Trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Charlie Swan, he will next run in the Commology Handicap Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday. Even with his 6lb penalty, he will he still 6lb out of the handicap when taking on the Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Klairon Davis, who will be making his seasonal reappearance.

Belvederian, beaten a distance by Antonin on his previous appearance, finished third, four and a half lengths adrift but well ahead of his Wexford conqueror, who was always struggling. On veterinary examination, Antonin was found to be clinically abnormal.

The diminutive Dashing Dollar did well to carry 12st to success in the opening Cashel Maiden Hurdle and initiate a double for Aidan O'Brien and Charlie Swan, who reported that the five year old made only one mistake at the top of the course - and settled nicely.

Making his ground on the downhill run, Dashing Dollar rose to the last marginally ahead of Welsh Grit and then drew clear to win by two lengths. Dashing Dollar, who won his bumper here seven days ago, is owned by Red Rum's breeder, Martyn McEnery.

O'Brien completed a treble when the stable's second string, the John Butler partnered Ballinlammy Rose, relegated Charlie Swan's mount, Frances Street, to a remote third place in the Irish National Hunt Novice Hurdle.

"Danoli's some horse now, isn't he?" said trainer Pat Fahy after his charge Dun Belle had worn down the front running The Latvian Lark to win the Beginners Chase by three and a half lengths. Danoli had trounced Dun Belle by some 20 lengths when winning on his chasing debut here last week. The winner may reappear at Downpatrick on the 27th of this month.

. Fergal Lynch, successful earlier on Fearless Cavalier in the Dryburn Selling Nursery at Musselburgh, went on to complete a double when he scored on Absolute Magic.