A delighted Tom Feeney after winning on Elk Bridge© Photo Healy Racing
Tom Feeney partnered his first winner under rules as Elk Bridge took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Bumper in convincing fashion at Clonmel.
Feeney (38), a successful point-to-point rider, was recording a first success under rules from limited opportunities over many years.
The John O’Callaghan-trained mare led early in the straight and asserted over a furlong out before staying on strongly to beat Watergate Lady by four and a half lengths.
The well-backed newcomer Penny Out was a further two and three quarter lengths back in third.
Feeney, from Ballyduff Upper in Co. Waterford, said "Every day she has run she has improved and Punchestown crowned her for today. The speed over the first mile at Punchestown made her for today and there is a big difference going up there and taking on geldings.
"I thought Mags' (Mullins, fourth-placed Cotton End one was the one to beat coming down the hill but I had her covered. John stuck by me and it's great to ride my first winner on the racecourse."
Carrick-On-Suir based O’Callaghan said, "We ended training her on track as we couldn't get a schooling bumper into her due to the ground. She kept improving and the race in Punchestown was a goodish race.
"She made a mistake in her last point to point and she probably would have won. She is a lovely mare to work with and I don't know where we'll run next."
The winner was bred by Noel Henley who stands the sire Dansant at his Bridge Stud near Tallow. Co Waterford.
(TW & AM)
