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Iceberg Theory steps up on debut promise to open account

Iceberg Theory and Conor Stone Walsh. Iceberg Theory and Conor Stone Walsh.
© Healy Racing Photos

Having shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up on his debut over fences, Iceberg Theory stepped up on that effort to land the Munster Drilling Beginners Chase at Limerick.

A 120-rated hurdler, the Paul Nolan trained gelding made a pleasing start to his chasing career when narrowly denied at Wexford in March.

Tracking the leaders under Conor Stone Walsh, the 5/2 chance was pushed along in fourth place after two out.

At that point, it looked as though the finish was most likely to involve Born Bright Grooveykindoflove and leader Boston Rover

Grooveykindoflove was the first of the leading trio to crack, weakening into fourth before the penultimate fence, as Iceberg Theory went third.

With second placed Born Bright unseating at that obstacle, Iceberg Theory inherited that position by default.

The leader Boston Rover ran very green and wandered around on the approach to the last, before meeting it all wrong. That mistake allowed Iceberg Theory assume control, eventually running out a two-length winner.

Trainer Paul Nolan said: "He bends his knee and wouldn't want the ground any faster but it was hard not to take our chance, with the race being for horses rated 120 or less.

"There is no point taking on the better horses and, it's amazing, not many of those better ones go out on grass at this time of year and many are still around.

"The maiden hurdle he won didn't turn out to be anything but he had a few nice runs, he stays well and had a good run the last day at Wexford, when his jumping was sketchy early-on."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.

About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.