Johnny King looks around for non-existent dangers in the closing stages of the bumper© Photo Healy Racing
Peace N' Milan gained a deserved win when taking the bumper in impressive fashion under Johnny King at Clonmel.
The Francis Flood-trained mare had shown plenty of promise in five previous outings, and was prominent throughout in this two-mile test.
The 6/1 chance quickly settled the issue when driven clear under two furlongs out, and was in command inside the final furlong. Merry Night now beaten at odds-on on all three outings, is becoming expensive to follow and was very onepaced in the straight finishing all of 17 lengths back in second. Rapid Fritz was a further two lengths away in third.
Fran Flood junior said, "In fairness to her she ran into a couple of good ones but was getting the allowances here.
"She's not the top mare around but has guts. She's not good enough for a winners bumper as you'll meet better ones and will go for a mares maiden hurdle next."
Regarding missing the ITBA €5,000 bonus, Flood added "Most of the races with bonuses are run in the summer and I think the scheme should be for mares in all bumpers and not just confined to mares races. Still it's better than finishing second!"
(TW & AM)
