Sub Lieutenant completed doubles on the day for both owner Gigginstown House Stud and trainer Dessie Hughes when gaining a deserved win in the bumper at Thurles.

The Brian Boru half-brother to Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere was sent off the 4/5 favourite having previously filled the runner-up spot three times in bumpers. Exxaro made the odds-on chance work hard in the straight but Johnny King’s mount eventually got on top in the closing stages to score by a length. Hurricane Darwin was a further five and a half lengths back in third.

Trainer Dessie Hughes was successful earlier with another odds-on chance Tiger Trek while Gigginstown were also on the mark with promising chaser Allied Victory

Hughes’ daughter Sandra said, “We thought he’d win a few times last year, and his run at Punchestown was very good. He likes that good ground, and it was a good start for him. I’d imagine he’ll go for a maiden hurdle.”

(TW & AM)