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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Blood proves best in bumper

Wed 13th Feb 2013, 17:22

Band Of Blood (nearest) and The Pounds locked togetherBand Of Blood (nearest) and The Pounds locked together
© Photo Healy Racing

Band Of Blood prevailed in a driving finish to the bumper at Thurles this afternoon.

The well backed 15/8 favourite Cyprian Prince (5/1 in morning) took them along in the two-miler but gave way entering the straight as The Pounds hit the lead.

Band Of Blood charted a wide course turning for home as Richie Kiely went in search of better ground.

It developed into a final furlong duel between The Pounds and Band Of Blood and the Philip Fenton-trained Gigginstown gelding stuck his head out at the right time to gain a head victory.

The 10/3 winner had won a point-to-point almost a year ago before finishing a fine third in a Limerick bumper behind a smart looking sort in Kauto Grand Mogol (half-brother to Kauto Star).

“I was very worried when I saw the rain,” said Fenton afterwards.

“He'll go for a winners bumper now and we'll keep him as a novice hurdler for next season.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)

1st
10/3
Tote €2.70 €1.70
2nd
hd
12/1
€3.10
3rd
7L
10/1
€2.90
4th
1.75L
22/1
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.