Luke makes all for easy bumper win Laid Back Luke got his career under rules off to the best possible start by routing his eight rivals in the bumper at Thurles. The seven-year-old gelding had shown some promise despite failing to complete in three point-to-point outings this winter, and certainly didn’t go unsupported in the market. Early quotes of 33/1 this morning were soon snapped up, and Jamie Codd elected to set the pace on the 12/1 chance. The son of Quws drew clear early in the straight, and kept on strongly to beat Ballybryan by 17 lengths. Gala Ball was a further length and a half back in third. Winning trainer Sheila Lavery said, "He has missed out on the winners' enclosure twice as he should have been at least placed on his debut in a point to point and then definitely should have won on his second run when his jockey went the wrong side of a bollard in the closing stages. "Neighbours of mine had him when he won a schooling bumper on the bridle at Fairyhouse and when I saw that, persuaded them to put him into training for a bumper. He is now for sale." (TW & AM)
