SOUND MAN booked his ticket for the Tingle Creek Trophy Chase at Sandown next month when landing the odds under a determined Richard Dunwoody in the Tipperary Racecourse Chase at Clonmel yesterday.
The 4 to 7 favourite, while obviously not enjoying the very heavy ground after an overnight deluge, still showed his class by overtaking Royal Mountbrowne in what developed into a match in the closing stages.
After Belvederian had upped the tempo from halfway before being overhauled by Royal Mountbrowne, Sound Man loomed up on the outer going to the second last where, however, the runner-up jumped left into his path and forced an error from Dunwoody's mount.
Midway between the last two, Dunwoody switched the favourite to the far rail, jumped the last the quicker of the pair and a couple of cracks from the whip ensured Sound Man was always holding Royal Mountbrowne's game challenge by a length.
"They've gone a good gallop on ground more than heavy enough for him. Sound Man will come on for the run," remarked Dunwoody, who earlier initiated a double for Edward O'Grady aboard 10 to 1 chance Clashbeg in the Bank of Ireland Handicap Hurdle.
"Sound Man had me worried for a while but I liked the way he battled back and that run will have sharpened him up for Sandown, though he will need another gallop or two in the meantime to make him even fitter," said O'Grady.
Graham Bradley was suspended for two days (Dec 3rd-4th) following a report to the Stewards from clerk of the scales, Ian Hamilton, who stated that Bradley, who had weighed out on Sceardeen 1lb overweight at 10-5, weighed in at 10-6 after changing his boots. Bradley told the stewards that he changed his boots for a more comfortable pair.
Charlie Swan is just one winner short of a 900th career total under both codes after partnering the Rescue Time to win the opening Clonmel Racecourse Supporters Club Juvenile Maiden Hurdle.
Former showjumper Eric McNamara (36), who recorded his first victory in Britain with Dancing Vision at Cheltenham earlier this month, saddled Young Mrs Kelly to justify good support in the INH Stallion Owners BF Maiden Hurdle. Partnered by James Jones, the six-year-old mare edged to the front on the run to the final flight.
Kharasar came home the 11-lengths winner of the Bank Of Ireland Beginners Chase, but his task was made easier after his nearest challenger, Saculore, took a crashing fall at the second last.
