Bokamsin dominates off the front in Naas

Bokamsin put in a smart performance to beat four last-time-out winners in the Jumps Finale At Naas Sunday 8th March Rated Novice Hurdle over two miles at Naas.

The six-year-old gelding was fitted with a first-time tongue-strap and from 11/1 in the morning he went off a 15/2 shot.

Darragh O'Keeffe sent him on from flagfall and they made all. They moved clear before last and the only danger, Tip Of The Wings , walked through it in second.

The leader sailed in by six lengths from the 10/1 runner-up. Straight John , the 2/1 favourite, was unplaced in third of the seven runners.

This was Bokamsin's six career start with a previous best finish of third over flights at Cork in November.

O'Keeffe said: “I thought the last day we didn't go quick. He missed a couple of hurdles and it put him on the backfoot.

“It was a deep race the last day, with Spinningayarn, and today's race was tidy as well.

“We all thought that we'd buck him out, grab a hold of him, and make him do it. He's a fine big horse and jumped brilliant today. I thought it was a good performance.

“I was going to jump out and go forward and if something wanted to go quicker, that's grand.

“I was happy after jumping a couple of hurdles, he had his ears pricked. Even when Donagh (Meyler, Raise You Up ) came up besides me, it kind of helped him a bit.

“He jumped really well, was very good over the last two. It's nice that he's done the job for the owners.

“He's six, but he took a long time to come to hand. Hopefully now that will do his confidence the world of good and he can build on it.

“He'll be a nice horse over fences as well.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson