Immelmann runs out impressive winner of finale

The Willie Mullins-trained Immelmann came with a strong surge inside the final furlong to run out an easy winner of the concluding Horse & Jockey Maiden at Thurles this afternoon. The Model Kingdom went to post a 4/9 shot in the two-miler and it looked to be going to plan for her as she hit the front passing the two pole.

Seamie Heffernan was rowing along in fifth on Immelmann at that stage but the German-bred gelding really started to find his stride going to the furlong marker.

He claimed the hotpot in the final 150 yards and soon asserted to record a cosy two-and-three-parts-of-a-length winner.

The winner, sixth in handicap company at Listowel last time, was easy to back, returning 11/1 having been 6/1 this morning.

Heffernan said afterwards:- "Willie had been disappointed by this horse but he has a massive engine and hadn't been doing things right. He said if I could switch him off he'd finish well and he was 100% right."

"I rode a steering-job for Willie here last year and two-miles gives me enough time to think what is happening. Once I was jocked-up by Willie - riding in these colours, I thought I'd win!

"He can be tense but maybe that will do his confidence good and I'd say he has a good amount of ability."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)