Paul O'Reilly and Windsor Higgins enjoy victory in Limerick© Photo Healy Racing
Paul O'Reilly punched the air with delight as he steered home Windsor Higgins at 66/1 in the Liam Hogan Memorial Beginners Chase at Limerick.
It was a first winner for the 24-year-old from Cashel who said afterwards: "I had been in France until 14 months ago but have come back to work for Harry Kelly now and also ride out two mornings a week for whoever wants me."
His mount put in a good jump at the second last to land in the lead and the pair nimbly negotiated the final fence to put the race away by two and a quarter lengths.
Trainer Steven Ryder said of his charge: "She hinted at having ability once or twice but it was a surprise because she never fulfilled much.
"I got frustrated with her on the Flat and over hurdles so decided to go chasing even though she is only five. She likes this ground and that's the key to her and it's the first opportunity on that ground for a while.
"She'll probably get a fair handicap mark now as she beat a couple of nice horses but I might be tempted to go back hurdling with her at some stage again because she has a low mark over hurdles.
"She's a winner today so that's the main thing and it's nice for her owners John Bowes and Pat Lynch, who are from Galway, and are good supporters of mine." Everyday Everyhour (5/1) was beaten into second with 4/7 favourite Black Warrior losing second in the closing stages to come home third.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
