Blacklough battles to bumper success

The last race at Killarney this afternoon, the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Pro/Am Bumper, went to the Willie Austin trained 14/1 (was 25/1 this morning) newcomer Blacklough under Damien Skehan.

The 11/10 favourite Patanne for Willie & Patrick Mullins attempted to make all and he continued to lead as they entered the straight.

However he could offer no more when Minellaforleisure (5/2 from 7/1 this morning) overtook him before the final furlong as Blacklough then came on the outside with his challenge.

The duo had a good battle from here with the latter just getting up close home to score by a head. The Flying Doc for Jane & Paddy Mangan kept on well to take third at 20/1 a further two lengths back.

Winning trainer Willie Austin, who was recording his first winner since Burma Rock scored at Kilbeggan on the 19th of August last year, said afterwards: "It was nearly time to be coming up with a winner!

"He is a smashing horse and I’d imagine he will be put out now.

"He is a forward type of horse and he will be ready for a hurdle around October. I don’t think he will go for a winners bumper unless the owner wants him to."

Blacklough is a full-brother to the James Nash trained mare Some Say who won a maiden hurdle at Sligo last summer.

Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes