Lightning Bullet and Kevin Manning© Photo Healy Racing
Jim Bolger completed a four-timer at Leopardstown today with newcomer Lightning Bullet in the concluding 1888 Restaurant Maiden, providing the trainer’s stable jockey Kevin Manning with the third leg of a treble and provide owner Mubarak Al Naemi with his first actual visit to a winners’ enclosure in Ireland.
Bolger had earlier teamed up with Manning to win with Laoch Na Mi and Stellar Mass in the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes, while also winning with the Daniel Redmond partnered McGuigan
Lightning Bullet was keen in the early stages but eventually made all for a fine two lengths win over Ex Patriot
Afterwards Bolger stated “this horse is a good sort. He is big and rangy and is a horse for next year."
He added “that's the first time his owner (Mubarak Al Naemi, a chemical engineer and chairman of the Qatar Owners and Breeders Association) has been at the races for a winner - he is from Qatar and owns Kilfrush Stud in Limerick.
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy
