Tigris River leads Holy Water over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Tigris River got the day off to the perfect start for favourite backers as he ran out an easy winner of the opener at Limerick, the Dunraven Arms Hotel Hurdle.
The Aidan O'Brien trained son of Montjeu won his maiden at Galway in August before following up at Cork.
He finished a good second to Golden Spear in the Lartigue at Listowel on his most recent outing and he was sent off the 3/10 favourite today.
Settled in second he eased to the front before two out and stretched clear on the run-in, coming home with five lengths to spare. Holy Water finished second at 16/1 under Mark Bolger for Jessica Harrington while the front-running Chatham House Rule was a further six lengths back in third.
JP McManus owns the winner and his racing manager Frank Berry said afterwards: "He did that grand but it wasn't the greatest of contests.
"His jumping improved as he went along but will have to improve more. He was put in his place at Listowel and while he's not a winter horse, he might dip his toe and see where he stands against the novices before being left off.
"He could come back in the spring time for handicaps."
STEWARDS REPORT
C.A. Landers, rider of Fly Round The Bend trained by John J. Walsh, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his saddle slipped and was pulled up.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
