Limestone Lad's eagerly awaited debut over the larger obstacles attracted a bumper crowd to Cork yesterday and he certainly didn't disappoint when he made virtually all the running to land the Pierse Building Services Novice Chase.
Sent off at 4 to 9 to add to his sixteen victories over hurdles and two bumper wins, the eight-year-old, despite fiddling the final fence, jumped well on his debut for new rider Barry Cash to easily account for Ceoil Agus Craic and Quintus.
Cash, who replaced the gelding's regular rider Shane McGovern, was thrilled,
'He's the best I'ver ever sat on and he will be even better over bigger fences.'
James Bowe, who trains the prolific money-spinner under permit, echoed those sentiments, 'He's very good and very clever when he wants to be. He's not 100% fit yet as it's a long season ahead.'
On future plans, Bowe added, 'If he comes out of the race well he'll run in the Kevin McManus Novice Chase at Tipperary next Saturday. He'll come on a lot from that.'
Limerick handler Charles Brynes nominated the Thomas Pink Gold Cup Chase at Cheltenham on November 11th for Super Franky after the 7/2 shot recorded a bold pillar to post success in the featured #25,000 Pierse Group Munster National Handicap Chase.
Providing rider Philip O'Brien (24) with his biggest success to date, the seven-year-old, a winner over the course earlier this month, was greeted to a rapturous reception by the large crowd after he came home with eleven lengths to spare over favourite, River Cora.
'We were going to let him off but what's the point after that. He is entered for the Cheltenham race and he'll probably take his chance,' said Byrnes, who used the strand at Ballybunion to freshen his charge up for several days before yesterday's contest.
The Pat Hughes/Philip Carberry alliance started proceedings in style when they combined to record an opening race double via Kimberley and Theseus.
Kimberley, a winner at Listowel last month, justified strong support in the ring when deafeating Trevino in the opening two-and-a-half mile novice hurdle before Theseus, who blundered badly at the second flight, recovered well enough to scoop the winners purse in the next.
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