Laura Hourigan made a big impression on the opening session of the three-day Limerick meeting when partnering a double aboard Horner Rocks and Oliverjohn, both trained by her father Michael.
Ms Hourigan, 19, gave Horner Rocks a confident ride in the Opus One Recruitment Ladies Novice Handicap Hurdle, striking the front just before the last to beat Redlyn by two lengths.
The secretarial student, whose only previous win was gained on the Flat at Tralee last year, followed up when Oliverjohn took the bumper in great style. The son of Denel stretched clear inside the final two furlongs to beat Solar System by 14 lengths.
Ian Power was seen to good effect as Emperors Guest defied top-weight in the featured McMahon Builders Providers Handicap Hurdle. Paddy Mullins' charge, a creditable third to Newhall in the Denny Juvenile Hurdle, led entering the straight before holding on to beat Quigaboy by a diminishing length.
'He needs better ground but, with such good prize-money on offer, we decided to come here. He may go for the Champion 4YO Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival,' said winning trainer's son Tom.
Kirmar could be part of the Irish challenge at Aintree next month after returning to form in the Hugh McMahon Memorial Silkwood Chase. The eight-year-old gelding, who missed all of last year after badly damaging a tendon, struck the front two out under Sean McDermott to beat Joes Hero by two and a half lengths.
'He needed a few runs to get him right, and I will enter him for a handicap chase at Aintree. He could run at Fairyhouse instead, but wherever he goes there must be some cut in the ground,' said trainer Pat Fahy.
Backdoor Champion stayed on strongly in the straight for amateur Tom Gibney to beat Lantern lad by nine lengths in the Betfair.com Maiden Hurdle. 'He was very sick with a lung infection last autumn, and the run at Leopardstown a fortnight ago really brought him on,' said successful permit holder Andrew Heffernan.
Alan Magee
