Ask D’Man picked up the fourth win of his career as he took the Rathronan Maiden Hunter Chase at Clonmel from the front.
Racing alongside his main market rival I Often Wonder throughout, David Christie’s charge began to edge on from that Kinsale maiden winner as they raced along the back straight for the final time, however the eight-year-old did edge to his left in jumping the third-last fence which allowed Robert Tyner’s son of Intikhab to close once again.
Barry O’Neill was able to get something of a breather into the favourite rounding the home bend, and although the pack began to stack up in behind, Ask D’Man was able to dismiss the challenge I Often Wonder before the penultimate fence.
From this point Three Loud Knocks emerged from off the pace under a patient Maxine O’Sullivan to loom as the big danger, however despite once again jumping out to his left and the final obstacle, Ask D’Man always had his measure and ultimately crossed the line with a one and three quarter length advantage.
The mare Midway To Getaway confirmed her recent placing at Limerick by once again filling the third position, some six lengths adrift of the runner-up, with Is A Real Champ, I Often Wonder and Cloudy Wednesday completing the six finishers.
After the disappointment of their Cheltenham Foxhunters contender Vaucelet only finishing third in the Down Royal Hunter Chase on St. Stephen’s Day, this success brought a return to the excellent winning fortunes that Christie and owners Jenny O’Kane and John Hegarty have enjoyed this season.
After the race winning the winning rider indicated that he felt Ask D’Man would be better racing left-handed on account of his tendency to jump to his left, but that he was a step ahead of his rivals in this with a mix of point-to-points and hunter chases likely now.
The likeable Ask D'man has won four of his last five in points and strikes in the finale for Barry O'Neill and David Christie at @ClonmelR pic.twitter.com/erZHF0iE4r
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 6, 2022
