Passu proves game to edge tight finish

Pari Passu rallied gamely, and then hung on, to land the spoils in the first division of the mile handicap at Thurles.

Luke McAteer had his mount to the fore throughout and was in front at halfway in the 45-65 contest. Littlevix headed Pari Passu over a furlong from home but the Tony Mullins-trained gelding battled backed to get his head in front again inside the final furlong. Voyageofdiscovery flashed home in the closing stages but Pari Passu held on by a short-head at the line to score at 8/1. There was just a neck further back to Littlevix.

The winner was recording his second career success and had finished mid-division in a claimer at Naas on his previous outing.

"He battled today which surprised me,” said Mullins.

"He won in Dundalk last year so he'll get a week or two now, which he doesn't normally get, and then be back for Dundalk.

"Luke rides well and is an up and coming rider but with his weight, he is probably going to end up going jumping.

"We won a lot of races here on the flat in the past and would love to do it again."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)