Young Griffin's first winner an easy one

With a seven-length runner-up finish to Briar Hill in the book Boondoma looked to be one of the horse to focus on in Limerick’s bumper, and so it proved as he passed the post well clear with young jockey Colm Griffin having an armchair ride.

That race involving Briar Hill came in January last year. He had only been placed in one of his subsequent four bumpers but made no mistake today.

Boondoma (9/4) went clear with 11/10 favourite Fulton with half a mile to go. However, Steven Crawford on the favourite started to exercise his arms while Boondoma remained on the bridle and galloped away in the last two furlongs for a facile 13 lengths success.

Michael Griffin trained the winner and said: “That was Colm’s second ride. They [Colm and Boondoma] had a bad experience in Navan the last day. Boondoma was fresh and free, but he settled well today.

“This horse always promised a lot. He won a point-to-point and jumps great. If he’s not sold he could run over hurdles next.”

Colm Griffin is 17, a nephew of trainer Michael Griffin and is a fifth year student at Presentation Brothers College Cork. He comes from Dungourney, Co Cork. He added: “I spent last summer with Jim Bolger and I ride out for Liam Burke.”

This win took Michael Griffin off the cold trainers list as it was his first winner in 82 runs.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes