Pumbaa & Richie Kiely on their way to success© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Sharon Dunphy recorded her first National Hunt success as her Pumbaa sprang a bit of a surprise in the bumper at Limerick, the GGL Security 24/7 Alarm & CCTV Monitoring Flat Race.
Sent off at 9/1, the 4yo son of Vinnie Roe ran in three point-point’s before today, running well at Loughrea and Lingstown to finish third and fourth respectively.
Ridden this afternoon by Richie Kiely he hit the front over a furlong from home and he stayed on well from there to record a four length success from the 4/7 favourite Quickpick Vic in second under Derek O’Connor for Tony Martin.
Sharon Dunphy, who trains near Thurles, said afterwards: "That is my first National Hunt winner and it is the one I have been waiting for. I’ve had seven point-to-point winners and two on the flat.
"It was hard to fancy him considering he is a still a maiden after three point-to-point runs but we did think he had a chance as we thought he was more of a bumper horse than a point-to-pointer.
"If there is a suitable winners bumper for him he will go that otherwise he will go hurdling."
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
