Island revels in the mud at Clonmel Great Island asserted close home to get the better of a good tussle with Maciver in the first division of the William Hill Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel. The pair moved through to dispute going to the second-last and there was little between them over the final flight. The Eoin Griffin-trained gelding found more late on for Calum Hogan, sticking his neck out for a half-length success. Great Island, mid-division on his last couple of outings, was sent off 4/1 favourite having been a 12/1 shot this morning. "He had his ground as the day he previously won in Gowran, it was almost unraceable. He had a good run back following a break the last day and just improved a little bit from it,” said Griffin. "We were confident enough coming here although these (William Hill Series) races are becoming very competitive as trainers are targeting them for the points.  "We'll look at Limerick over Christmas next, as he loves heavy ground. If we got traditional Christmas ground, it would be right into his barrow." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
