IN a riveting finish, Colonel George and Takeamemo dead-heated in yesterday's two mile Tipperary Maiden at Clonmel. Mrs Sue Bramall, owner-trainer of Colonel George, is on a business trip in France and consequently missed saddling her first Irish-trained winner.

Mrs Bramall, who formerly trained near Thirsk in Yorkshire, moved her string to Inch, near Gorey, Co Wexford early this year, having sought suitable stables in this country for several months.

Currently, she has 27 horses in training and at Wexford recently saddled her first runner since making the transition.

The Paul Hourigan-partnered Colonel George, who won a bumper in Scotland last year, had headed Takeamemo inside the distance but Takeamemo and John Murtagh fought back to force a dead-heat. Trained by David Hanley the three-year-old filly is stalls shy, abut it is a good job she stays as she will run over hurdles," he said.

Murphy's Malt who finished third was ridden by Seamus Heffernan in the absence of Christy Roche. Roche, who was suspended for 10 days after he had forgotten to weigh in after winning a handicap on Choosey's Treasure at Dundalk on Wednesday, has decided to appeal the severity of the sentence.

Monokratic might conceivably have credited Mrs Bramall with her first outright winner in the Tipp FM Handicap Chase half an hour later but he and Hannies Girl fell independently at the last fence when disputing the lead with Springfort Lady.

Trainer John Joe Walsh was convinced Springfort Lady would have won regardless. She was ridden by Norman Williamson who finally landed his first winner in this country he rode a winner at Hereford last month since his return from injury. Springfort Lady will next run in a handicap chase at Listowel.

Meanwhile, Williamson who flew over specially to ride Springfort Lady, returned to England last night