Nucky Johnson© Photo Healy Racing
The 2/5 favourite Nucky Johnson had no problem landing the odds in the bumper under Pat Taaffe.
Third on debut in a Punchestown festival contest, the Vadamos gelding came through to lead traveling well early in the straight and was ridden clear over a furlong out. He readily accounted for Lakefield Flyer and Chainofconsequence by five and a half lengths and the same.
Winning trainer Noel Meade said: “He's a nice horse, I wouldn't think he'll run in another bumper and we'll go jumping hurdles straight away.
“I think he likes goodish ground and wouldn't be best on winter ground.
“He was bred by Nicky Hartery and has a really good Flat pedigree, his half-sister won a Listed race in Italy.
“Pat said when the other horse came to him he was going well and the minute he shook him up he was gone.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
