Wizard casts a spell on claiming race rivals Merlin The Wizard proved too strong for the opposition when staying on strongly to land the opening Limerick Optional Claiming Race. Sent off 9/4 under Colin Keane, the Ray Cody trained gelding tracked the pace as Glendower and Kakori vied for the lead. Coming through to throw down his challenge early in the straight, Merlin The Wizard headed Kakori over a furlong out, keeping on well to hold the fast finishing Taj Crown by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Ray Cody said: "The owners decided that we’d go back to a claimer to try and get his head in front and it mightn’t have been the worst race in the world. "The trip was obviously a worry, going up to 1m4f, but I thought after the last day, at the Curragh over a mile, he looked to be on his head all the way. Colin said he got the trip no bother there which is great as it opens a few more options. "I'm delighted for his owners Lorna Honan and her husband Chris Fennessy, while his other owner Ronnie Quinn didn't make it, as he unfortunately got stuck in traffic." Following the race, there was just one friendly claim for the winner. Quotes by Thomas Weekes.
