Bomber Jackson (left) and David Mullins lead over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Yvonne Dunleavy saddled a 1-2 in the Tote Handicap Hurdle at Listowel as Bomber Jackson made all for a convincing success.
David Mullins sent the 16/1 chance straight into the lead and the change of tactics certainly suited as the eight-year-old gelding readily held off a host of challengers early in the straight.
A three-time winner on the all-weather for Jane Foley before joining the Turloughmore, Co Galway trainer about three years ago, Bomber Jackson stayed on strongly on the run-in drawing clear to score by four lengths.
Better-fancied stablemate Padraic O Conaire (7/1) came home best of the remainder to complete a memorable result for Dunleavy. Messie was a further three quarters of a length away in third, with Cousin Pacal completing the places in fourth.
Dunleavy said, "I'm so delighted for that horse because he has been so near so many times and it's mighty to have a 1-2 at Listowel. David gave him a super ride from the front.
"'The Bomber' had been working serious at home but sometimes The Bomber holds a little for himself, but they (him and Padraic O Conaire) were both in great form. It wasn't ideal running them both in the same race but there only seemed to be one race for them.
"They are summer horses and we only got away with the ground there. As long as the ground doesn't change or go the other way, we'll go for something similar with both horses.
"We're small people but Padraic (O Conaire) won here in June and since then we got a couple of nice young horses which will take time but they will keep us going."
(TW & AM)
