Bertutea impressive on Irish debut at Limerick Willie Mullins introduced a smart newcomer as the ex French trained Bertutea easily landed the opening Aqua Process Solutions @ Limerick 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle at Limerick. A winner on the Flat in France, the gelding had been placed in both starts over hurdles before joining current connections. Always prominent under Sean O'Keeffe, the Gigginstown House Stud owned 7/4f headed leader Elman before two out. Keeping on strongly from the back of the last, Bertutea beat Crooked Path by nine lengths. Sean O'Keeffe said: "That was a nice performance and he had a bit of hurdle experience in France. He jumped well today, he is a great ride and is a lovely horse. He is only doing what he has to and he picked up nicely coming down the straight. "He might be better on nicer ground but he has a nice bit of ability and was able to handle it well. Hopefully he can step up and progress now." Paddy Power went 20/1 (from 40/1) Bertutea for the Triumph Hurdle. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
