Walk On The Beach (right) © Photo Healy Racing
John Gleeson's 5lb claim is a priceless asset in any bumper and the Waterford teenager shone again on family-owned Walk On The Beach (9/2) in the 2m1f finale at Killarney.
Fourth on debut at Cork, the five-year-old was patiently handled and turned for home in fifth before bursting through between rivals to lead over a furlong out. Aruntothequeen tried to cover the move but was outgunned by a length-and-a-half as trainer Joseph O'Brien, also successful in the nightcap at Leopardstown, completed a Killarney brace after Teriferma in the opener.
The winning rider's father Brian Gleeson explained: "It was a great family, we had the granddam and Go All The Way - who finished fourth in the Cheltenham Bumper, is a brother to this horse's dam. It is a lovely story as he is part-owned by myself and my dad (Liam) so it is another family success.
"His dam was unraced and we went to Footstepsinthesands to inject some pace into the pedigree. We were deciding whether to breed-to-sell or breed-to-race, and decided to race this fella.
"We always thought he was a nice horse, that's his second run and jumping is his forte so we might go that way sooner rather than later."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
