Tommy trumps Atlantique in thrilling Lawlor's

Readin Tommy Wrong knuckled down gamely to overhaul Ile Atlantique in a cracking finish to the Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle at Naas, as Willie Mullins dominated in the Grade 1 contest.

6/4 favourite Ile Atlantique led from the second hurdle in the two-and-a-half mile contest and looked to have his rivals on the stretch running away from the second last flight.

Stablemate Readin Tommy Wrong stayed on to challenge at the last where he clipped the hurdle with his back legs.

The Authorized gelding was a length down early on the run-in but clawed back the advantage late on and got up close home under Daryl Jacob to secure a hard-fought neck success at odds of 16/1. Lecky Watson plugged on to take the third spot, seven-and-a-half lengths further back, to secure a clean sweep in the race for Mullins.

The winner, owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, now has a perfect four-race record on the racecourse having been bought after finishing second in a point-to-point.

Mullins said:- “They are a nice bunch of horses coming along and Daryl was very good on Readin Tommy Wrong.

“He gave him a very cute ride and let the main protagonists fight it out before taking it off them in the end.

“He’s a horse that is improving all the time, very brave and it’s good for Irish jump breeding that Authorized is standing here this season.

“That puts him right in the picture for the top prizes in the spring. He looks a typical Ballymore horse and has just kept improving.

“Paul was very happy with Ile Atlantique at all stages. He did all the donkey work and as I said Daryl was very cute and got a tow the whole way and just outstayed him in the last couple of strides.

“The two of them are going away all the way to the line.

“I felt before the race that it was the top novice hurdle run in Ireland or England over the whole Christmas period so I’m very happy they have run so well.”

Betfair made Readin Tommy Wrong 7/1 second favourite (from 33/1) for the Ballymore while Ile Atlantique is unchanged at 8/1. Ballyburn is currently 4/1 favourite.

(Quotes by Alan Magee)