Luimneach Abu (left) leads Redwood Boy over the final hurdle© Photo Healy Racing
Not for the first time this season Mark Walsh came out on top on a lesser-fancied JP McManus runner as Luimneach Abu returned to form in the Thurles Handicap Hurdle.
The Shane Broderick-trained gelding's only previous win came at Wexford over two years ago but he did show promise when filling the runner-up spot on his penultimate start at Tramore.
The 12/1 chance led after the front-running Redwood Boy made a mistake at the second last flight, and kept on well when asked for maximum effort by Walsh on the run-in.
The top-weight King Of Oriel kept on well in the closing stages to get within three quarters of a length, with Mon Carlos just a neck further back in third. The Drunken Dr completed the placings in this two-mile event taking fourth spot.
Barry Geraghty was aboard the other McManus runner Pleased As Punch but the 15/2 chance could only manage sixth.
Broderick said, "I freshened him up after his run the last day and Frank (Berry, J.P. McManus' racing manager) said this was a good chance for him.
"The track and coming up and down hills suited and he loves that ground. Mark gave him a great ride and jumped the last three well.
"He's not a horse for winter ground and it's great to get this as he's finished second eight times and had only won once before today."
(TW & AM)
