Duke Cass and Donagh Meyler fend off the challengers© Photo Healy Racing
Donagh Meyler had Ruby Walsh and Davy Russell coming at him in the straight, but that was never going to faze the talented 3Ib Kilkenny claimer and he got Duke Cass (12/1) home in the Annual Membership Only #100 At Limerick Racecourse Rated Novice Hurdle.
Karl Thornton 's Duke Of Marmalade gelding was coming back off a 64 day break and try as Walsh did to find a way past on Aretesone he couldn't, going under by half a length.
Odds on favourite Artful Artist was one-paced between the last two, and he ended up two and a half lengths back in third.
"Two miles is probably on the short side for him but we decided to make plenty use of him and stretch them a bit. He toughed it out, is still only four and is learning all the time," reasoned Thornton.
"He wants winter ground and I was concerned the ground wouldn't be slow enough for him today. He'll go for a handicap hurdle at Christmas and has plenty of scope to jump a fence in time."
(TW & EM)
