Prince proves too strong for Oathkeeper

The betting suggested the bumper at Tipperary was a two-horse race and so it proved as Prince D'Aubrelle outpointed Oathkeeper

Patrick Mullins cut out the running on 11/8 shot Prince D'Aubrelle and he was joined by 5/6 favourite Oathkeeper up the back straight.

Sarah O'Brien was first to pop the question to Oathkeeper early in the straight. He stuck to his task but Prince D'Aubrelle proved stronger in the closing stages to post a length-and-a-half victory.

The front two pulled 35 lengths clear of the third in the two-mile contest.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding was recording his third bumper win having also scored at Galway and Killarney.

"He's improving all the time and you can see his improvement from run one to two and every run since," said the winning rider.

"He's probably better on good ground so he might wait until next season to go hurdling.

"Not many win three bumpers so he might go for the Punchestown Bumper next year before following the same route as Bachasson over hurdles."

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)