In-form O'Sullivan strikes again in bumper

The bumper at Thurles went to Bubbles In May (22s into 18/1 before the off) who made all the running under 7lb claimer Mikey O’Sullivan.

The daughter of Stowaway, second at Ballinrobe on debut last year when in the care of Emmet Mullins, stretched clear of her rivals over a furlong out to beat Recognize (10/3) and 5/4 favourite Chernikova by four and a half lengths and three quarters of a length.

O’Sullivan has now won on three of his last four rides and will be in action at Cheltenham tomorrow where he partners Downpatrick winner Carnet de Stage for his father, Eugene, in the amateur riders’ handicap chase.

Winning trainer and breeder John Cahill said: “Fair play to Mikey he gave her a great ride. I've watched him riding a couple of times lately and thought 'this chap knows what he's doing' and he did exactly as he was told. He gave her a lovely ride.

“It's job done as she's a three-parts sister to Champagne Fever and I want her as a broodmare as that's my game.

“She finished second first time out and then things went wrong but she's back to where we always thought she should be. It's not a surprise because she's always worked savage.

“She has schooled over hurdles and was actually in the maiden hurdle today as well but we took her out of it because we felt the way she was working that she was entitled to one more run in a bumper.

“If the ground goes she'll go and we may wait until it dries up again. Hopefully we'll get another couple of weeks as I love to give her one run in a maiden hurdle before it gets soft.”

Quotes from Gary Carson