Spring Heeled and Tom Doyle get the better of Ballysteen at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Spring Heeled was produced with a perfectly timed challenge by Tom Doyle to land the spoils in the novice hurdle at Limerick. Ballysteen took it up from front-runner Page Turner (11/4f) after the third last and looks set for victory turning for home.
Doyle nudged Spring Heeled along to challenge at the second last, however, and the 6/1 shot jumped into the lead at the final flight.
The Jim Culloty-trained gelding only needed to be coaxed home to record a half-length success.
The winner had been well-beaten behind Boston Bob when last seen at Leopardstown but this represented a significant drop in class.
"He deserved that. I aimed high with him the last day and he let me down. I honestly can't put my finger on why," said Culloty.
"The ground is the key to him as he has a Flat-ish pedigree and he needs good ground.
"He's not really a mid-winter horse and is more for the spring/autumn.
"We probably sent him hurdling a season too soon. We'll see how he is after this and he could either be let off or go for a three-mile novice handicap."
(GC & TW)
