William Munny makes winning bumper debut in a thriller

William Munny made a successful debut for owner/trainer Barry Connell in the bumper at Navan but only after just getting the better of a thrilling final furlong battle with the odds-on C’est Ta Chance.

Point-to-point winner C’est Ta Chance was bidding to complete a treble on the day for champion trainer Willie Mullins following the earlier victories of Asian Master and Minella Cocooner and Patrick Mullins elected to make the running on the 8/13 shot.

Finny Maguire waited until just over a furlong out before mounting his challenge and the 6/1 chance soon locked horns with the hot favourite.

The pair went neck and neck to the line and the judge just found in favour of William Munny by a short-head.

The pair pulled all of 12 lengths clear of Good Deal in third.

Connell said, "We knew we'd win a bumper with him. He's a six-year-old so he's had loads of time.

“He has been to a schooling race before and ran okay. He was very keen last year and with the extra year, and a bit of maturity, he's settling better.

“When they went no pace there I was just afraid he might be doing a bit too much in that ground.

“I think he'll come on for it because he was very green. When Finny went to put him into the gap between the two favourites he didn't really know what he was at or where he was going.

“Eventually he got through it and they had to keep quickening. He's very fit, he's not having much of a blow there.

“He's very unlike a Westerner, they are normally big strapping horses, he looks like a bumper horse.

“I don't know how good he's going to be down the line but he's definitely a nice horse to have.

“I'd say he might run in Fairyhouse or somewhere like that. I don't think I'll be going across the water with him but he's probably entitled to if you wanted to.

“It's great to get one on the board. When you give them two-and-a-half years, and give them the time, it's nice to get the reward for it because it doesn't always happen. We're thrilled.”

Paddy Power and Betfair introduced the winner at 25/1 for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

Quotes by Gary Carson