Airlie Beach shows her turn of foot

Punters came for Bertie Bell in the bumper at Kilbeggan but it was the Willie Mullins-trained newcomer Airlie Beach who took the honours.

Bertie Bell had been runner-up in his last two bumpers to Captain Barbossa and Fugi Mountain and Brian Hamilton's charge was backed down from 100/30 in the morning to 11/8 favourite.

Airlie Beach went off the 2/1 second best under Patrick Mullins in the Supreme Horse Racing Club colours.

Bertie Bell held every chance as he tracked Paddy Gunzales but at the business end of the race Airlie Beach was ridden to lead on the outside coming to the home bend.

She picked up well in the final furlong to deliver by four and a quarter lengths. Bertie Bell kept on to take second with a two and a half length gap back to Paddy Gunzales in third at 17/2.

Patrick Mullins said: "She had a foal as a three-year-old by accident. We bought a horse from France and presumed he was gelded but he ended up covering two mares.

"The other lost the foal but this mare had hers and he's a two-year-old now who has just been broken. So we have the sire, the dam and the foal.

"Her dam (Screaming Witness) was actually my first ride on the racecourse. She's had three foals and all three have won bumpers including Valerian Bridge who won three last year.

"She was very green early on. It was a little bit of a surprise as she's been quite backward in her work at home.

"She was further back than I wanted early on and didn't travel but when she got there she picked up very nicely.

"I think there is a bit of improvement in her."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson