Slige Dala and Tom Hamilton (yellow sleeves) hit the front in the bumper from Power Of Pause (left)© Photo Healy Racing
The Guinness Time INH Flat Race went to Slige Dala (11/4), who hit the front off the home turn and raced away to score by seven and a half lengths from the 9/4 favourite Power Of Pause Camp David was a further length and three quarters away in third place.
The winner, by Sholokov, had been runner-up on debut in a Killarney bumper last summer before finishing third to the useful Dewcup at Punchestown in November. He started favourite for both those outings.
A half-brother to decent staying chaser Knock House, Tom Hamilton's mount seemed to appreciate stepping up in trip to 2m2f on this occasion.
Brendan Powell, assistant to winning trainer Joseph O'Brien, said: "Tom (Hamilton) said he was just behind the bridle all the way but he said he's a strong stayer.
“On his first two runs he was a little bit green but last time in Punchestown he showed a bit more and hit the line running.
“I think it was a decent enough bumper today, they were quite a few fancied horses in it.
“We'll see what Joseph does with him now but he jumps well and that's going to be his game as he's a lovely big horse.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
