River Slaney (left) & Sizing India battle out the finish to the opener at Limerick© Photo Healy Racing
Bob Le Beau went off the odds-on 9/10 favourite for the opening race at Limerick this afternoon, the €20,000 Tote Placepot Guarantee Maiden Hurdle, but he ultimately disappointed as the Liz Doyle trained River Slaney sprang a 14/1 surprise under Adrian Heskin.
The six-year-old son of Classic Cliche finished second to Pyrus Gold Wind on his last start over hurdles at Thurles in April, but he disappointed on his last outing in a bumper at Clonmel.
Back over hurdles and running on good to firm ground for the first time, he raced in third for much of the contest as Bob Le Beau attempted to make all.
The Jessica Harrington trained 'jolly' faded tamely approaching the second last as River Slaney and Sizing India (8/1) moved into the lead.
A good jump at the last sealed the deal for River Slaney and he kept on well on the run-in to beat the aforementioned Jim Dreaper trained gelding by two lengths. Reafadda (8/1) kept on well to take third, a further two and three parts of a length back under Mark Enright for John Ryan, while Bob Le Beau finished a well beaten fifth.
Barry Murphy, Liz Doyle's partner, said afterwards; "I'm not surprised. He was second in a maiden hurdle at Thurles when he was fairly short (of work).
"He since ran at Clonmel but the ground there turned soft and he wasn’t able to handle it.
"We have always thought he would win a maiden hurdle and I think he will win a few more.
"Adrian (Heskin) thinks he is good enough to run in a winners race and in fairness to the horse he needs a fence."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
