Dorans Pride emerged victorious over Imperial Call at Clonmel yesterday but it was the runner-up that attracted most interest in betting for next year's Gold Cup.

Ladbrokes and William Hill both left Dorans Pride unchanged at 6 to 1 favourite for chasing's blue riband after his nine-length victory in the three-runner Morris Oil Chase.

But Imperial Call, the winner of the race in 1996, was cut to 10 to 1 by Ladbrokes (from 16s) and 12 to 1 by William Hill (from 16s) for the Cheltenham showpiece after a solid effort on his first outing since being pulled up in last year's Gold Cup.

Richard Dunwoody elected to make the running on the 1 to 2 chance and although Imperial Call closed seemingly going well downhill to the straight, the favourite soon asserted.

"He travelled well but at the top of the hill I had a look back and saw Conor (O'Dwyer) was cantering. I thought we'd have to kickon to beat him and to his credit Dorans Pride picked up nicely and did it well," said Dunwoody.

Likely to be seen next at Leopardstown's Christmas festival in the Ericsson Chase, Dorans Pride looked very fit following his splendid success under top weight at Listowel in late September.

"He couldn't have done it better," said a delighted Michael Hourigan afterwards. "I have been very easy on him since Listowel, and he was certainly not as fit today. The Ericcson Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting is his next main target, although he could have another run before that," added the Limerick handler.

Imperial Call got "a bit tired" according to O'Dwyer who, however. added: "I am thrilled with him."

Trainer Fergus Sutherland is unsure just yet where Imperial Call will reappear. "It was a lovely race - it worked well for both of us," he said. "My fellow will run soon - let's get on with it now that he is right, though don't press me until tomorrow at least for where we go next."

Dunwoody completed a double when Punters Bar landed the Morris Oil Unleaded Petrol Handicap Chase. Interim Account looked set to score until trying to run out at the second last, leaving the Pat Day-trained gelding in front for a seven-length win.

Gerry O'Neill, the regular partner of Imperial Call in his novice days, was deprived by the stewards of recording his first winner as a trainer when the placings of the first two were reversed in the Morris Oil Premium Petrol Handicap Hurdle. The Barry Geraghty-ridden Digital Signal, well-backed from 14 to 1 to 8 to 1, had half a length to spare over The Cobh Gale at the line but the stewards ammended the result following interference from the second last hurdle.

A 16 to 1 winner from the allconquering Charlie Swan and Aidan O'Brien combination is not an everyday occurance but Carbon Wood landed those odds with consumate ease when making all in the opening Cashel Maiden Hurdle.