The E40,000 Grade 3 Ladbrokes.com Doran's Pride Novice Hurdle at Limerick went to Willie Mullins' Our Ben, who ran out an impressive 25 length winner from Michael Hourigan's Kerryhead Windfarm.
The win was the second success of the day for twenty year old for jockey Davy Condon, who earlier partnered Paul Fahey's Knock Na Garm Lad in the Woodlands House Hotel Handicap Hurdle.
Regarding Our Ben, Mullins' assistant Tracey Gilmore mentioned 'he'll be kept to two and a half miles with the Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham his main target. More long-term, he's a very exciting chase prospect.'
Condon also confirmed the winner's potential, mentioning 'he's definitely good enough to win a Grade 1 hurdle.' Regarding his own future in the saddle, he added 'my weight has increased and I'm now a full time jump jockey although I will probably ride at weights around 9st7lbs on the Flat next year.'
Seven to four favourite in the race, Guantama Bay, was found to be coughing post race as well as suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection.
The eight member We Didn't Name Him Syndicate, including Munster rugby player Rob Henderson, appears to have a fair horse in its possession following the win of Strangely Brown in the opening Supermacs Dooradoyle 3YO Maiden Hurdle.
Trainer Eric McNamara has a high opinion of the winner and mentioned 'he won three Flat races for Stuart Williams in England and I bought him for Stg#12,000 at Newmarket sales recently. He jumps fabulously well and appears to have a bright future.'
Former jockey Gerry O'Neill trained Old Pike Girl to win the mares' beginners' chase. In yet another incident packed, the ever reliable John Thomas McNamara guided Old Pike Girl to an 11 lengths success over O'Neill's former inmate Tobeornotobe.
