O'Grady has a change of luck

Racing: The Comeragh Beginners Chase was the main talking point at Clonmel yesterday where three of the leaders fell over the…

Racing: The Comeragh Beginners Chase was the main talking point at Clonmel yesterday where three of the leaders fell over the last two fences.

Front-running Wondersobright was headed when falling two out, leaving Dunbrody Millar marginally in front of Seethensee on the run to the last.

However, both horses fell giving riders Tom Ryan and Ron Flavin heavy falls, leaving Endless Magic, a close third at the last, ahead of the staying-on Move Over.

On the run-in Davy Russell kept Endless Magic going for a two-length win from Move Over.

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"My luck had been out for a while so it's good to see the tide in again! The horse is owned by my son, Jonathan, who is completing a MBA at Harvard Business School," said winning trainer Edward O'Grady.

In a race with five fallers, Tom Ryan was the only jockey to receive an injury, and was later taken to Cashel hospital where he needed surgery on his mouth.

Homer Scott's John James is due to run in the Topham Chase at Aintree next Friday following his impressive win in the opening Clonmel Chase. Partnered by Ken Whelan, the nine-year-old jumped well in front and was never headed, winning by five lengths from Quadco.

"The drying ground has helped to get him back to his best and he'll probably go for the Topham Chase next. He jumps well and the Aintree fences should suit," said Scott.

Curragh trainer Ken Condon recorded his second win of the new season when his Brandon Mountain landed the Templemore Handicap. Condon later reported: "We bought him for only €4,000 as a yearling and the step up in trip was a big help."

Charlie Swan's Bravery made all for his three-length win in the Slievenamon Maiden Hurdle. Well ridden by Johnny Levins, the horse was described by Swan as "a lovely big horse who will make a fine chaser in time.

"He may go for a winners' race, provided the ground doesn't get too fast."