RACING: Apart from a scare at the fourth last where he narrowly avoided faller Light On The Broom, Sacundai gave odds-on backers few anxious moments when landing the www.limerick-racecourse.com Hurdle in easy fashion at Limerick yesterday.
Edward O'Grady's charge was backed down to 2 to 9 and came home a distance clear of King Carew. "He will go for the two-and-a-half-mile Martell Aintree Hurdle, and that will be his last run of the season," said O'Grady, who also had news of his two star novice hurdlers.
"Back In Front will be entered for both the novice and the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown, and we will keep our options open until nearer the time. Pizarro came out of his run at Cheltenham really well, and could go to Aintree for either the Grade One three-mile novice or a two and a half mile race."
The Irish Grand National is the target for Jenniferjo who jumped to the front two out and stayed on well for David Casey to hold the renewed challenge of I'vehadit by a length in the featured Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase. "She was a bit off colour on Friday but she scoped clean on Saturday and we decided to let her take her chance," said trainer Pat Fahy.
Garrett Cotter was seen to good effect aboard Brownie Returns in the Dawn Milk Handicap Chase, making most of the running and gamely denying Good Vintage by a length.
Pat Doyle, successful with Kald River here on Sunday, was again on the mark when sending out Lord Who to take the three-mile maiden hurdle. Barry Geraghty's mount looked set for second place approaching the last, but a fine leap at that flight took him past Satcoman for a three-length victory.
At Wexford Willie Mullins kept favourite backers happy by saddling Heezapistol to justify 9 to 10 favouritism under Ruby Walsh in the Bettyville Park Beginners Chase and a winners race will now feature on the market leader's agenda. Mullins and Walsh went on to complete a double as Kaikoura Girl headed Gardrum Park in the closing stages of the Michael O'Murchadh Handicap Chase, winning by one and a half lengths.
There was a shock outcome to the opening Rosslare Maiden Hurdle as the Michael McDonagh-trained Winaro sprang a 16 to 1 surprise with Kieran Gaule.
The German-bred was produced to lead on landing over the last and he forged clear to triumph by one and a half lengths from Mossland.
At Down Royal jockey Ian Power landed a double when Dantes Reef won the opening Maiden Hurdle, and he quickly followed up by scoring with Mr Monty in the beginners chase.
Ross Comm took the handicap hurdle under in-form Robert Power but his run of good fortune ended when he was kicked on the back by his mount Karalee Girl, a faller in the beginners chase, and was stood down for the rest of the meeting on medical advice.
