Bushmans Pass prevails for Leinster National honours

Oliver McKiernan’s Bushmans Pass bounced back to form with a battling victory in the Bar One Racing Leinster National at Naas.

Previously successful three times over fences, the nine-year-old made a promising return from 10 months off the track when fifth in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January, but was then pulled up as favourite for the Grand National Trial at Punchestown last month.

Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, the nine-year-old was a 12-1 shot for his latest big-race assignment and got the better of a protracted duel with Hartur d’Arc on the run-in by half a length in the hands of Phillip Enright.

“We’re delighted and it was a great ride by Phillip. The plan was to ride him forward all the way and if they take him on they take him on,” said McKiernan.

“We ran him in Punchestown the last day and he got tied up in the middle of a bunch of horses and he wasn’t comfortable at any stage.

“It was borderline whether we were going to run him. I said if the ground was drying out there was no point in running him as he has leg trouble and stuff. Before we thought he wanted loose, soft ground, but maybe we’re wrong.

“He won a good race in Navan about this time last year and he’ll get an entry in the Irish National now. He was 127 there and will probably go up 6lb. He could be a horse for it now.”