It Could Be You and Sean Flanagan negotiate the final flight© Photo Healy Racing
It Could Be You was backed down to favourite for the opening claiming hurdle in Clonmel and his backers were able to toast victory courtesy of a strong drive from jockey Sean Flanagan.
The 10-year-old grey had uninspiring form figures having been pulled up in two of his last three outings, but he responded to Flanagan who was last on board in September 2022 when he obliged over fences in Galway.
The 11/4 favourite made all, but looked vulnerable off the home bend as Flanagan began to get busy in the saddle.
Both Jupiter Rock and Dromineer Smurphy took closer order racing to the final quarter of a mile, but It Could Be You was far from done with.
He led Jupiter Rock over two out as Dromineer Smurphy gave best in third, and the leader found plenty to increase his lead at the last.
He jumped that obstacle notable well and sailed in by five and a-half lengths from 50/1 shot Jupiter Rock. Dromineer Smurphy dropped another nine lengths away in third at 10/1.
Trainer Tom Mullins said: "His confidence had gone but, in a race like that, he got an easy lead.
"He isn't a bad horse, but had just lost his way and at Limerick the last day he almost didn't want to jump off and the ground was terrible.
"He came home hopping after Limerick, though, and I persuaded the owner to keep going. That's his fourth win and if he is claimed, he is claimed."
It Could Be You was available at 8/1 this morning and opened at 9/2.
There was a friendly claim for Dromineer Smurphy while fourth-placed Cerberus was claimed for €10,000 by JG Hayes to be trained by himself.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident leaving the back straight involving Little Hero, ridden by B.W. Harvey, unplaced, Cerberus (GB), ridden by C.P. McNamara, placed fourth, and Glenmorefiftyfour, ridden by L. Quinlan, unplaced, where it appeared interference may have occured. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence, L. Quinlan stated that he received pressure from his inside. B.W. Harvey stated that he was maintaining a straight line when he felt pressure from his inside. C.P. McNamara stated that he was caught on heels at that point and made a manouvere to his left. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found C.P. McNamara, was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly, and having considered his record in this regard (second offence) the Raceday Stewards suspended him for four race days.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
