TRAINER Gordon Elliott registered four winners, ridden by four different jockeys on Thursday including a treble at Clonmel with Santonito, Floueur and Womalko. Elliott’s Poseidon was successful at Taunton under Sean Bowen and at Clonmel, Santonito (6/5f) began by winning the dramatic opening ClonmelRaces.ie (Q.R.) Maiden Hurdle, under Jamie Codd.

Sir Argus had improved to lead, travelling well, approaching the second-last flight but fell at that obstacle leaving Eye Van in front with Santonito under pressure in second place. Both horses finished tired but Santonito found a little more on the run-in to edge a half-length win.

Afterwards Elliott’s assistant Lisa O’Neill said: “He battled hard in the end and Jamie was happy with him. He thinks he is the likes of a horse that will be a real stayer, maybe a three-miler, over fences so it is nice to get the win over hurdles.

“He has been quite consistent and it great for the owners (Caldwell Construction Ltd) who are having a great time of things at the moment and are a big cog in the Cullentra Stables.”

Smart performers

Davy Russell steered Elliott’s second winner Floueur (5/1) in the featured E16,000 Jim Strang and Sons Kilsheelan Hurdle, defeating one-time smart performers Diol Ker, Ronald Pump and Elkat De Rire very easily.

Russell reported: “He went well, jumped great and loved the ground obviously, and the distance. He ran in the Munster National the last day and made a mistake up the back, and in handicap chases, you can’t do that. Gordon, wisely brought him back over hurdles and he seemed to enjoy it here today.

“He’s a very big, scopey horse, a gorgeous horse, but his feet and his brain don’t always work together. Today was comfortable, and I was allowed to get him into that rhythm, so it was perfect. Maybe if there was a similar conditions’ chase, it would suit him.”

Good leap

Elliott’s fourth winner was in the Next Meeting January 12 Novice Handicap Chase with lightly weighted Womalko (5/6f), who arrived from off the pace to win under 10st with jockey Sam Ewing.

Winning owner J.P. McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry later commented: “I wasn’t too sure for a long time and he needed a good leap at the last to get there. I was surprised he came under pressure so far out, but in fairness to him he kept pulling it out and did enough.

“You’d wonder what trip he really wants but he would go farther anyway. It was nice to get a win out of him and he needed to be running from his mark. He handles the ground and will win again.

“Sam gave him a lovely ride and is an up-and-coming lad.”

Measure of favourite

The other chase on the card was the concluding Clonmel Supporters Beginners Chase which went to 16-length winner Jody Ted (14/1), under Donagh Meyler.

The Mark McDonagh-owned winner appeared to have the measure of favourite Henn See when that rival fell at the second-last and after the race, winning trainer Eoin Griffin said: “I’m delighted as he has done well to come back from injury. We thought he was a nice enough horse when he won two races a couple of years back.

“With his history of leg problems I’m not thinking too far ahead, but we’ll see what mark he gets and look for a rated novice.”

TRAINER Mouse Morris and jockey Ricky Doyle combined to win the Happy Christmas To Our Patrons Handicap Hurdle with Bluebell Diva (7/2f), which improved on a recent runner-up effort when beating Warm In Gorey by two and a quarter lengths.

Morris later commented: “She ran well the last day, has improved a bit with every run and is a fine mare. She will probably run again at Limerick over the Christmas. The owners Margaret and Sean Casey, from Cahir, bred her and she is by the right stallion (Walk In The Park).”

THE other handicap hurdle, sponsored by Adare Manor, was won by the Harry Kelly-trained, Old Port Syndicate-owned Hard Target (5/1) who scored readily under jockey Cian Quirke.

Afterwards Kelly said: “He was a bit unlucky a couple of days and we weren’t sure about the ground but I said to Cian to keep him wide, away from horses and for the better ground and it worked out a treat.

“The plan coming here was to hopefully win if he handled the ground and leave him off, but we’ll see about running him at Christmas now.

“I’m delighted for the owners who have been very patient and are brilliant. Tom Farrell, from Littleton, heads the syndicate and there are other members around the country.”

Conna Cottage justified 4/7 favouritism to win the Kilsheelan Maiden Hurdle, for trainer Gavin Cromwell, jockey Keith Donoghue and the Barefoot Syndicate. The race was confined to horses who hadn’t been placed previously.

Afterwards, Crowmell said: “He is a fine horse and it is grand to get his head in front. He was fourth in a better race the last day and qualified for this.

“It was my own fault, but I ran him in a good-ground bumper at Navan and he missed a year then. He is a fine big horse and please God will continue to improve away. We’ll stick to hurdling for the moment.