Lovely Hurling defeats her bumper competitors

Just six of the twelve runners finished the 2 m 4 ft bumper, which was quite the endurance test.

The 6/5 top choice John Gleeson patiently guided Lovely Hurling, who came through to lead in the straight.

Even though he started the race ahead of Laramie, he easily defeated her by five lengths, staying clear of the rest.

During Easter, Colm Murphy's five-year-old displayed promise in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Gleeson said:- “It was a nice performance. He's a big horse, by Walk In The Park out of a Galileo mare, bred by Mr McManus. He's a fine big horse and gave me a nice feel. That was nice. It's riding a bit dead and we went a nice gallop on the ground. It's a bit tiring out there but he did it nicely. Please God he'll be a nice horse for the autumn.”