Clonmel report: War Of Attrition followed on from his defeat of Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kicking King by running out a convincing winner of the Clonmel Oil Chase under Conor O'Dwyer yesterday.

The second-season chaser, who disappointed when favourite for last term's Arkle by finishing seventh, was a warm order for the Clonmel feature with Mouse Morris' charge being sent off the 1 to 2 favourite. And the six-year-old travelled through the Grade Two race in great style before taking the lead after jumping the final fence to beat Rathgar Beau by half a length.

The two big guns were settled at the rear of the field for most of the two-and-a-half-mile contest and a slow early pace set the race up for a thrilling finish. O'Dwyer sent the market leader round the outside of his rivals on the home turn but Rathgar Beau was always in close attendance under Shay Barry and was snapping at his heels over the final couple of fences.

However, Barry had to switch his mount to the outside after losing racing room approaching the final fence, which handed the advantage to the favourite who powered away after landing full of running.

Rathgar Beau tried hard to claw back his rival on the run towards the line but was always being held, with Morris' Alcapone taking third.

Strong Project looked set to make the frame having been slightly in front at the last but he unseated David Casey after making a bad blunder.

"It was a bit of a sprint, which I suppose would suit Rathgar Beau who has got a lot of speed, and I was pleased," Morris said.

""Conor said to me the horse has not been so fast over the last two in his whole life but he has jumped well and I can't ask for any more.

"They are two good horses. We will have to see how he comes out of the race but if he is okay he could run in the John Durkan (at Fairyhouse on December 4th).

"The Lexus would be the aim at Christmas as I would like to run him over three miles to see how he gets on."

Morris is not sure of the long-term target for his charge and Cashmans left War Of Attrition as the 3 to 1 favourite for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, while also quoting him at 14 to 1 for the Gold Cup.

Eamonn Sheehy, trainer of Rathgar Beau, said: "We couldn't be any happier with him. It is a little bit disappointing he got beaten but he was beaten by a very good horse.

"I thought between the second-last and last that we had him but War Of Attrition has quickened up well. My lad will improve a bit but not an awful lot.

"The John Durkan is an option but I might go back to the two-mile route and his main aim will be the two-miler at Punchestown at Christmas (Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase), although he will also get an entry in the Tingle Creek."