Bolivar stepping it up race by race

Bolivar a winner in the trainer’s own colours at Roscommon last month, doubled up for Paddy Twomey at Killarney today in the Sauternes Cup Race.

Now racing for Team Valor International LLC, Bolivar was ridden here by Wayne Lordan and he tracked leaders, before running wide off the bend after three furlongs.

Third halfway, the Twomey runner made headway early in the straight.

Ridden and disputing the lead under two furlongs out, the 5/2 shot led narrowly a hundred yards out, keeping on well close home to beat Tasalka by a neck.

"He had won on heavy ground at Roscommon and I don't think he needs soft ground but it definitely doesn't inconvenience him,” said Twomey.

"I won this race last year and I was hoping we'd win it again with this fellow although when I saw the Galileos in it I was scratching my head a bit.

"I didn't want to run him in a Stakes race coming from his maiden win and wanted to just take the next step but I hope he is Stakes class.

"I think he'll step forward again from today and the Kilternan Stakes at Leopardstown on Champions Weekend is the obvious race for him; it would be a nice step forward again."

(TW & EM)