Course guide: all the key stats and insight to get ahead at Clonmel

With Irish racing continuing behind closed doors at Clonmel on Tuesday, Mark Boylan takes a deep look at the scenic Tipperary track which has produced any amount of high-class performers in its 164-year history.

No shortage of star names

The town famed for producing Bulmers/Magners cider sees a number of National Hunt stars on show every November in the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase, the track's most coveted prize.

A glance at the 2m4f contest's roll of honour reveals names such as Imperial Call, Dorans Pride, Beef Or Salmon, Edredon Bleu, War Of Attrition, Sizing Europe, Champagne Fever and Kemboy across the last 25 years.

None other than Douvan won this season's running, with Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth Monalee chasing him home in third.

There may not be the same calibre of horsepower on display at Tuesday's fixture but don't surprised if it throws up some smart winners.

Douvan: winner of the 2019 Clonmel Oil ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann

This card last year saw the highly-touted Annamix break his duck over hurdles, while the classy Acapella Bourgeois denied stablemate Yorkhill in the feature conditions chase.

Conflated, fourth in two Grade 1 novice hurdles this season behind Envoi Allen and Asterion Forlonge, won the concluding bumper at the expense of Sneaky Getaway, later rated 101 on the Flat when taking on Stradivarius in the Doncaster Cup.

Front-runners favoured

There is no hard and fast rule to success at Clonmel, but the nature of its right-handed and undulating track appears to favour front-runners, or at least disadvantage held-up horses.

The course demands plenty of the runners, providing a stiff uphill climb before a gradual descent, which is then followed by a testing uphill finish.

Clonmel: one of three tracks in County TipperaryCredit: Patrick McCann

In the 11 National Hunt fixtures at the Tipperary venue last season, 47.37 per cent of races were won by horses ridden prominently.

In comparison, just 13.16 per cent came home in front having been held up – a similar rate to horses who effectively made all the running while winning during the same period.

If a strong pace presents itself up front then there is always the possibility for patiently ridden horses to prosper but it generally pays to be handy.

Top amateur the man to follow this season

Patrick Mullins endured a frustrating Cheltenham Festival but will be hoping the return to Clonmel can see him get back to winning tracks.

The leading amateur rider has an outstanding record at Powerstown Park this season, winning on five of his six rides (an 83 per cent strike-rate).

Patrick Mullins: in hot form at Clonmel this seasonCredit: Patrick McCann

His sole engagement sees him partner the highly-regarded newcomer Kilcruit in the concluding bumper.

Followers of Davy Russell will also be in clover this season, with the former champion jockey's 22 per cent strike-rate at the track yielding a level-stakes profit of €22.66.

Backing Henry de Bromhead's runners blind this campaign would see you notch up an impressive €27.87, while Willie Mullins' strike-rate at the track is exceptional, winning with almost half his runners there this season (11-23, a 48 per cent strike-rate).

Rider's view: JJ Slevin

Clonmel ranks as jockey JJ Slevin's fourth most successful Irish track numerically and he believes the course benefits horses with an ability to travel kindly before staying on strongly.

JJ Slevin: a recent visitor to the Clonmel winner's enclosure after Deilginis won for Joseph O'BrienCredit: Patrick McCann

"It's a straightforward track to ride with the obstacles, both hurdles and fences, in good positions," he explained.

"You need a horse who travels and stays, an honest type. The finish is stiff and having a horse who can remain well balanced is a help when coming downhill."

He added: "The second-last was previously a tricky fence but Lorcan Wyer [clerk of the course] and his team deserve credit for making adjustments in that position. It rides very well and is generally a straightforward course."

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