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Review LIMERICK 31ST MAR

Ger Lyons continued his fine start to the season when saddling a double at Limerick on Saturday.

Nortburn initiated the brace when claiming the opening six furlong handicap under Willie Supple.

The son of Tobougg led under two furlongs out and kept on strongly to hold the late run of Sayanora by half a length.

'The horses are running well and we always knew this horse was going to be a better three-year-old,' said Lyons. 'The owners are from Dundalk so a big part of the agenda is to get an all-weather winner for them.'

Shane Gorey did the steering on Apollo Run, who wore down long-time leader Tashadelek in the seven furlong handicap.

Wayne Lordan looked to have pinched the race on the front-runner as they turned for home but Lyon's charge galloped on strongly to get up inside the final furlong for a lengh-and-a-half success.

'Long may it continue as you are only as good as your last winner,' said Lyons. 'He's a big strong horse and did it well.'

John Oxx also has his string in good order and Ardistan was an impressive winner of the seven furlong colts maiden.

Fran Berry was keen to get to the lead on the Selkirk gelding and he quickened nicely a furlong-and-a-half out to pull away for a four-and-a-half length verdict over Princely Hero.

'We were a bit worried about the drop back in trip but he got out and jumped quick,' said Oxx's assistant Slim ONeill. 'We'll step him up to 1m2f now for a handicap.'

The Ballydoyle brigade sent out their first winner of the year when Honoured Guest overcame trouble in running to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race.

Seamus Heffernan found himself short of room early in the straight but switched his mount inside the final furlong and he stayed on strongly to score by a length from Crazy Volume.

Dermot Weld was also getting off the mark when Almazaal made a winning debut in the fillies maiden.

Pat Smullen produced the daughter of Alhaarth just inside the final furlong to run out a cosy length-and-a-quarter victor from Scrumptious.

'She did it nicely,' said Weld. 'She's a nice filly and has been working well. I'll speak to Angus Gold and she could go for a conditions race now.'

Dul Ar An Ol sprang a 20/1 shock when getting the better of Grafton Street inside the final furlong for a neck success in the mile maiden.

'I didn't fancy him as I thought it was too good a race and that the ground was too soft,' admitted winning trainer Peter Henley.