No Looking Back (nearside) finishing best in the bumper© Photo Healy Racing
No Looking Back came from virtually last to first in the straight under Johnny Barry to score at 25/1 on debut in the www.thurlesraces.ie (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race at Thurles. Petram a rare bumper runner for Johnny Murtagh, appeared to have made a winning move when quickening past the front-running Hansard over a furlong out.
However, No Looking Back was making relentless progress for Barry and powered home on the outer inside the final furlong to lead close home. Cumhacht also came home well to finish just a neck away in second with Petram having to settle for third a further head adrift.
Winning trainer Oliver McKiernan said, “He surprised me as I thought the ground wasn't soft enough for him.
"I told Johnny to educate him but not to be in the middle of horses hopping around, and don't mind if you are on the outside. We weren't expecting to win it to be honest.
"He was bought out of the sales at Fairyhouse so will go for the sales bumper there next month.
"I brought him here, to educate him and while I wasn't expecting to win, I'm delighted. We don't normally have bumper horses but have a couple of them now."
(TW & AM)
