Turbo defies long absence to win for Finn and O'Keeffe

The Jimmy Finn trained Turbo made light of a 704-day layoff when staying on strongly to win the www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase.

Last seen when tailed off at the same venue in December 2022, the 11-year-old was registering a first win over fences in over four years.

Racing prominently off the pace set by Ricky Langford the 16/1 chance came through to hold every chance early in the straight.

With joint market leader Someone's Wish looking a big threat approaching the last fence, a big jump from Turbo saw him land in front before kicking clear to win readily by three-and-a-half lengths.

Jimmy Finn reported: "I was hoping and thought he'd run well but thought the distance - especially around here, might be short for him. He got his ground today as he never really got ground like that.

"He had a little fracture in a hind leg which held him up for a while but is lightly raced so we brought him back. We'll see how he comes out of this but there's a race for him in Fairyhouse soon.

"We have a few horses coming along for the track at home."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.