Mullins' National hopes disappoint at Clonmel

Report: Clonmel, Thursday

Clonmel Festival Week Chase 2m4f, 5yo+

GRAND NATIONAL hopes The Midnight Club and Cooldine, both trained by Willie Mullins, failed to enhance their Aintree claims at Clonmel on Thursday as they were comprehensively beaten by Leanne.

Trafford Lad looked like he may hold on approaching the line but Leanne picked up again to deny therunner-up by three-quarters of a length.

The Midnight Club, sent off the 4-5 favourite, made up some modest late ground to take third ahead of the Patrick Mullins-ridden Cooldine, who was backed in to 11-4 from 4-1.

Trafford Lad picked up the running four furlongs from home and he stretched clear approaching three out, with Leanne the only challenger able to keep up.

The Midnight Club was caught flat-footed, while Cooldine never threatened to land a blow after being anchored at the rear for the majority of the contest.

The front pair jumped the last two fences in unison but Leanne found more close home to record a clear-cut victory at 6-1.

Jockey Bryan Cooper said: "I rode her to be placed and she travelled very well for me. She jumped well and she picked up nicely when I asked her."

A disappointed Ruby Walsh, rider of The Midnight Club, said: "He was never travelling and the ground was too heavy for him."

Paddy Power reacted to the result by pushing The Midnight Club out to 25-1 (from 16) for the John Smith's-sponsored Grand National in April.