Brian O'Connell after completing his treble aboard Popboru© Photo Healy Racing
After winning the first and second aboard Una's Pleasure and Mai Fitzs Jack respectively, Brian O’Connell made it a quick treble in the third, as he guided the gambled Popboru to victory in the Harvest Festival 11th-17th Sept Handicap Hurdle.
Popboru was also completing a double for her trainer John Joe Walsh, who took the opener with Una's Pleasure.
Available at 16/1 in the morning, the daughter of Brian Boru, who was placed five times previously, opened on-course at 7's before going off the 5/1 joint-favourite.
Settled behind the leaders, she was shuffled back to eighth with a circuit to race.
She travelled well in fourth after three out, and improved to lead at the next, keeping on well under pressure on the run-in to hold off Marshim by a length.
The runner-up was returned at 10/1 under Jonathan Moore for Walter Power, while Young Linzi was nine lengths back in third under Cian Collins for Tom Cooper at 20/1. Valbucca (25/1) completed the placings a further half a length back in fourth, while the other joint-favourite, the easy to back Lash It On (as short as 13/8 last night), finished down the field.
John Joe Walsh said afterwards: "Her form last year was very good but she was touched off a few times.
"She stays well and will run in summer handicaps. Brian is riding with great confidence and gave her a good ride."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
