A large crowd turned out in beautiful sunshine at Greenmount Park in Limerick yesterday for day two of the Bank Holiday meeting, and Sacundai landed the www.limerick-racecourse.com Hurdle in effortless fashion.
Edward O'Grady's charge was backed down to 2/9, but odds-on punters had their only anxious moment at the fourth last where Norman Williamson's mount narrowly avoided faller Light On The Broom. The remaining half mile was a procession for the hot favourite, coming home a distance clear of King Carew with former Supreme Novices' Hurdle victor Sausalito Bay tailed off in third.
'He will go for the two and a half mile Martell Aintree Hurdle, and that will be his last run of the season,' said O'Grady, who also had news of his two star novice hurdlers. 'Back In Front will be entered for both the novice and the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown, and we will keep our options open until nearer the time. Pizarro came out of his run at Cheltenham really well, and could go to Aintree for either the Grade 1 three mile novice or a two and a half mile race.'
The Irish Grand National is the target for Jenniferjo who jumped to the front two out and stayed on well for David Casey to hold the renewed challenge of I'vehadit by a length in the featured Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase. 'She was a bit off colour on Friday but she scoped clean on Saturday and we decided to let her take her chance,' said trainer Pat Fahy.
Garrett Cotter was seen to good effect aboard Brownie Returns in the Dawn Milk Handicap Chase, making most of the running and gamely denying Good Vintage by a length. 'He jumps great, and Garrett gave him some drive,' said trainer Mouse Morris.
Pat Doyle, successful with Kald River in the bumper here on Sunday, was again on the mark when sending out Lord Who to take the three miles maiden hurdle. Barry Geraghty's mount looked set for second place approaching the last, but a fine leap at that flight took him past Satcoman for a three length victory. 'He won a point-to-point last year, and jumps fences really well,' commented Doyle afterwards.
Lotomore Lad sprouted wings from the final flight to lead close home under Shay Barry in the two mile handicap hurdle, and trainer Donie Hassett said, 'That's a bit of a surprise as I thought he needed further. He should also be better on good ground.'
