Pylonthepressure jumps the last under Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Dual bumper winner Pylonthepressure belatedly got off the mark over flights, as he took the opener at Limerick, the Racing Post Maiden Hurdle.
A beaten odds-on favourite on his first three starts over hurdles, the Willie Mullins trained six-year-old went off the even money favourite today.
In a share of the lead early, the son of Darsi went a few lengths clear after the sixth. He was pressed by Mighty Stowaway approaching two out, but kept on well under pressure from before the last, going on to prevail by a length and a half under Paul Townend.
The aforementioned Mighty Stowaway had to settle for second under Brian Hayes for John 'Shark' Hanlon at 5/2, while Moroval (8/1 to 13/2) was another seven lengths away in third under Dylan Robinson for Henry De Bromhead.
Can't Wait was the gamble of the race. From 50/1 last night, the Tom Hogan trained five-year-old was backed from 25's to 12's on-course. She eventually finished fifth under Andrew Ring.
Paul Townend was aboard the winner, and he said afterwards: "He has run into a one on a couple of days but I was anxious to make use of his experience today. He jumped brilliant, but would want to at this stage in his career, and the first two are alright.
"I'd imagine he'll be running in a winners' race next, as opposed to a Graded race."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
