Buckley wins again at Thurles

The absence of Fulham Road (lame) made the bumper at Thurles a much more open affair, and Presentingoscar took full advantage when stepping up on the form of his two previous outings.

Winners can often be like waiting for buses as owner Christy Buckley can testify to as he saw his colours carried to success for the second time here recently following on from his first winner with Copy That in a handicap hurdle a fortnight ago.

William Cronin, who rides out for trainer John Joe Walsh and was recording his third winner under rules, produced the 7/1 chance to lead over a furlong out.

The five-year-old gelding edged a bit right when striking the front but stayed on strongly inside the final furlong to score by four and a quarter lengths. Robbina took the runner-up spot, with Ontopoftheworld a further length and a quarter back in third.

Walsh said, "That's his owner's second ever winner, in a fortnight! He was years trying to get a winner but it's funny when your luck changes it changes and he also bred him.

"I thought one of our other runners (today) might have a better chance but he loved the ground and won easy. He'll make a nice chaser and will run next over Christmas in a bumper or hurdle."

(TW & AM)