Kilcruit different class in bumper

Kilcruit earned himself a first show of 10/1 for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham from Paddy Power after cruising home in the nightcap at Navan.

Making his first start for Willie Mullins after finishing runner-up in a Clonmel bumper for Tony Mullins in March, the 4/5 favourite moved ominously well to close in the final quarter of a mile.

He eased past a hard-at-work Killer Mode under a motionless Patrick Mullins approaching the final furlong, and the jockey didn't have to ask him any questions as he galloped in by nine and a half lengths in this bumper.

Killer Mode took minor honours at 5/1 and was four and a half lengths clear of Ballycairn (4/1).

Patrick Mullins said: “My grandmother bred him which is great and I’m sure she will be watching on. It’s a pity that she can’t be here.

“I rode him work for Tony before he ran in Clonmel and he ran a cracker that day. He’s improved an awful lot since.

“He’s a very light horse and doesn’t need a lot of work to get fit and maybe that is why he won today. I think he has a lot of ability.

“He’s a tall horse and will improve again next season. The pedigree would be like that. I hope he will stay in bumpers this season!”

The Stewards interviewed Mr S. Fenelon, rider of 10th-placed Trying My Best concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found Mr. S. Fenelon in breach of Regulation 10.3,(b), the use of the whip when his chance of winning or being placed was clearly gone. Having considered Mr. S. Fenelon's record in this regard the Stewards suspended him for one race day.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee