Enda Bolger's dominance of the Avon Ri Corporate & Leisure Resort La Touche Cup continued at Punchestown today, when the Co Limerick trainer registered his 12th win, of the last 13 renewals of Ireland's longest race, when his L'Ami ran out the game winner, under John Thomas McNamara.
L'Ami was patiently ridden in mid-division by ace amateur rider McNamara and was produced with his challenge on the run to the straight, eventually getting his head in front at the final fence, recording a length and three parts win over stablemate Freneys Well under Nina Carberry.
Afterwards a delighted Bolger reported “L'Ami wasn't quite good enough in the top graded chases and I'm delighted for the horse today becaue he was becoming a bit of a bridesmaid (having twice finished second over the banks course at Cheltenham). I was happy going to the final fence as I would have been equally pleased had either of my horses won!”
He added “his owner J.P.McManus keeps sending me these good horses and, at the end of the day, the good horses always come through for us; they help me more than I help them!”
Bolger has produced the winner of the race each year from 1997 until now, with the exception of 2008, when Oh Jackie interrupted Bolger's domination.
The win also was McNamara's fifth success in the race, while, appropriately, in October 2008, L'Ami provided the rider with his 500th winner 'between the flags' at Kilsheelan point to point.
