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Whelan completes Limerick double on well backed Church

Lord Church and Ronan Whelan white win the Ryans Cleaning Handicap from Poppadom Lord Church and Ronan Whelan white win the Ryans Cleaning Handicap from Poppadom
© Photo Healy Racing

Jockey Ronan Whelan registered a second winner on the afternoon when staying on late aboard the well backed Lord Church to take the Ryans Cleaning Handicap at Limerick.

Mid division in three maiden runs as a juvenile, the son of Churchill was subsequently gelded and put away for the winter.

Trained by Michael Halford & Tracey Collins, the three-year-old was clearly expected to benefit from the break, being well supported from odds against into 4/5f.

Sitting just off the pace entering the straight, Whelan moved closer to challenge leader Poppadom over a furlong out, with the pair settling down for a battle inside the final furlong.

The eventual winner just got the better of things close home, staying on for a three quarter lengths success.

Michael Halford said: "You don't often get races of that calibre breaking up into numerically as much as today's but he is a smashing big individual who is a work in progress.

"He ended up doing it well when he hit the line, will go another furlong and will appreciate better ground; it is quite holding and he is a good actioned horse.

"He is a big horse and thankfully Brian Galvin his owner has been very patient with him and his half-sister won in Roscommon on Monday. He has taken time and hopefully will keep progressing.

"He has a nice bit of pace and I think a mile might be good for him."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.

1st
4/5Fav
Tote €1.80 €1.10
2nd
0.75L
15/2
€3.40
3rd
1.5L
5/1
4th
1.25L
16/1
About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.