Teelin Star and Colman Sweeney © Photo Healy Racing
Teelin Star began to live up to his lofty reputation when taking the concluding bumper at Listowel for Pat Hughes.
The gelding had been sent off a short price in the point-to-point bumper at Fairyhouse last April, after two impressive wins between the flags, only to fade tamely after making the running.
Colman Sweeney sent his mount to the front again today but he got the job done this time in good style.
The six-year-old had his rivals at work turning for home and kept on well when asked for an effort down the straight. Sam Da Vinci looked a danger for a few strides inside the final furlong but couldn't peg back the winner, going down by three-lengths.
The winner was well supported in the ring, backed from 11/8 into 6/5 favourite.
Hughes obviously has a big opinion of his charge and said afterwards:-
“I said that I'd have to have a good excuse to run a horse in a second bumper after getting beat.
“I'm very pleased with him. That made up for Fairyhouse. The vet said he was alright after the race then so I don't know what happened him.
"I ran him to get him fit before he goes jumping and he'll go straight chasing now."
(On course reporting by Donal Murphy)
