Ex-Ballydoyle inmate wins Bumper finale

One-time E250,000 purchase Aspen Colorado landed the concluding Coral.ie (Pro/Am) Bumper at Leopardstown today, winning for owner J.P. McManus and father/daughter, trainer/jockey combination of Aidan and Sarah O'Brien.

The son of Galileo quickened well in the home straight for a four and three parts of a length win over Without Limites

Trainer Aidan O'Brien was represented by his son, and soon to be Pilltown successor, Joseph O'Brien who stated “he won nicely. We thought he was a nice horse but didn't think he'd win like that and there was plenty of talk for horses in it.

“He was in Ballydoyle as a yearling but was just immature and backward mentally. The bit of time has done him well and hopefully he can progress.

“He's a nice horse, even to go jumping with next year and while he seemed to handle that ground, being a Galileo should be better on better ground.”

When asked about Cheltenham bumper he said “he'd probably have to have another run and we'd see then.”

Aspen Colorado was completing a double for Champion Owner McManus, who earlier won the Coral Hurdle with Henry Higgins

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson