Fragile El Barra impresses on return

El Barra looked a very smart prospect when returning from a long absence to run out a facile winner of the concluding bumper at Thurles this afternoon.

The French-bred gelding had been second in his sole point-to-point start, behind dual Grade 2 winner Fury Road, at Dromahane back in May 2018.

He had cost £280,000 at the sales subsequently and was making his first outing today for Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci.

Patrick Mullins bounced out in front on the 4/7 shot and he was only briefly headed at halfway.

The six-year-old had his rivals at work early in the straight and didn't come off the bridle to record a five-and-a-half length success over Fourneux D'isanka

Patrick Mullins said:- "It was a long wait for Richie as he was fragile and when I was going out I was at pains not to come off the bridle which wasn't very difficult!

"We thought he was a very good horse pre-Christmas 2018 and we haven't been able to keep him right since but we got him here having minded him at home so I think there is a lot more improvement in him, if he can keep in one piece.

"To me whatever he did, there is huge improvement."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)