'Very exciting' Pike County takes bumper final

Pike County excited his trainer Sneezy Foster when readily landing the concluding On-Course Bookmakers Bumper at Ballinrobe today, as the Conor Orr partnered gelding over-turned the Willie Mullins trained 1/2 favourite Westport Lady

Pike County, a son of Baltic King, moved past newcomer Westport Lady with a furlong to race and quickly went clear for a five lengths success, with 10 lengths to the third place Rian Thomas

Foster was understandably delighted with the performance and later commented "I'm absolutely thrilled for the horse. From the day he set foot in the place I've loved him.

"His first two runs - you can draw a line through them - he wasn't right and evidently he just loves this ground.

"He's matured, he's strengthened, and today he was so relaxed in the prelims - walking around the parade ring and going to the start.

"That has helped him and he's got tons and tons of pace. He'd win over a mile and two on the Flat easy.

"He's just a very exciting horse - he gives me something to get up in the morning for.

"He could be a dual purpose horse - he could be anything, and he looks to me if he'd be a magic jumper as well. He's very light on his feet and he's very athletic."

The winner carries the colours of owner, breeder Terry Mooney.

Quotes from Eamonn Murphy