Priests battles well to claim bumper

Priests Road showed admirable battling qualities to claim the concluding Pudsar O'Toole Memorial Bumper at Fairyhouse.

Colin Motherway sent his mount to the front travelling well entering the straight.

He was headed just inside the final furlong by Knockgraffon King by found more to regain the lead and go on again for a length-and-three-parts-of-a-length victory.

"He was good to win the battle in the end," said trainer Tom Mullins afterwards.

"The last day it was snowing and the reins slipped through the young lad's hands and he got away on him. We thought he would have been closer but for that.

"We were hoping for a good bit of improvement and got it. He's a lovely horse and loves that ground.

"We'll see what happens. There are winners bumpers at Punchestown and once the ground stays soft we'll keep on. We might even give him some experience over hurdles."