Pink In The Park (red/white colours) was a hot favourite in the bumper© Photo Healy Racing
Bookmakers avoided seven-figure payouts at Leopardstown yesterday after a 40/1 result in the bumper prevented carnage with multiple bets following a string of short-priced winners.
The opening six favourites won at the Foxrock venue with Honeysuckle easily justifying prohibitive odds in the featured Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle, Party Central and Birchdale both well-backed in handicaps and the Willie Mullins-trained trio of Galopin Des Champs, Chacun Pour Soi and Sir Gerhard all recording Grade 1 victories at odds-on.
Mullins was represented by Pink In The Park in the concluding Coolmore NH Sires Mares Bumper, and the 5/4 favourite held every chance under the trainer’s son Patrick inside the final furlong.
However, the Listowel Festival winner was just edged out in a blanket finish as 40/1 shot Lily Du Berlais providing welcome relief for the layers.
Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said, “Racing is a game of ups and downs and that’s been demonstrated so well at the Dublin Racing Festival. With only one winning favourite on Saturday, the books came out on top, but we knew Sunday would determine our weekend given all the shorties.
“Sunday couldn’t have begun any worse with six favourites winning in a row before lady luck struck for the layers with Call Me Lyreen prevailing at 20/1.
“Lily Du Berlais’s photograph will be taking pride of place on the wall at Power Tower after winning the lucky last at 40/1 with favourite Pink In The Park being furiously backed for bumper kings Willie and Patrick Mullins and her victory has helped save us a significant seven-figure pay out.”
