It’s said that self-praise is no praise. Therefore, no plaudits would be expected for pointing out that Willie Mullins and Paul Townend had plenty of chances at Clonmel yesterday. Nonetheless, one couldn’t but be impressed by the performances of TIGER TAP TAP and LORD ROYAL . Yet greatest personal satisfaction was derived from the victory of the Tim Doyle trained TRUMPS ACE. In no way is this corner a fan of handicaps, but studying them can be an intriguing puzzle.

Today at Thurles, for me at least, the highlight will be seeing the talented globe trotter MAX DYNAMITE go over fences for the first time. There was a time when starting a horse off over fences at 10 would’ve been unheard of. But, just as Fakir D’Oudairies took to the bigger obstacles seamlessly as a 4-year-old, no less than Faugheen has taken to it like a duck to water and him a dozen years on the go!

12.40: MAX DYNAMITE (PAUL TOWNEND/WILLIE MULLINS)

1.15: BALLYBROWNY JACK – EW – (JJ SLEVIN/JOSEPH O’BRIEN)

1.50: TRONADOR (KEVIN BROGAN/GORDON ELLIOTT)

2.25: REBEL OG (PAUL TOWNEND/WILLIE MULLINS)

3.00: GUN MERCHANT – EW – (KEVIN BROGAN/GORDON ELLIOTT)

3.30: MOSSY WHITE – EW – (PAUL CAWLEY/DENIS HOGAN)

4.00: ENERGUNEME (PADDY MULLINS/WILLIE MULLINS)