Pesoto secures double for O'Grady

Pesoto proved a class apart from his rivals when forming the second leg of an Edward O'Grady-trained double in the Munster Beginners Chase at Limerick.

The ex-French gelding showed flashes of ability in his first few starts for O'Grady last term, including when second to Joncol at Punchestown.

Sent off the red-hot 5-4 favourite for his seasonal bow, the six-year-old set off in front and after jumping fluently throughout, coasted home 13 lengths clear of Swift Counsel under Andrew McNamara.

The same trainer and jockey pairing struck earlier when Rigour Back Bob (5-6 favourite) readily landed the Adare Maiden Hurdle.

Regal Obligation had most of his rivals in trouble at halfway having built up a huge lead, but McNamara remained patient on the jolly and gradually ate into the long-time leader's advantage.

After taking it up two from home, he cruised to a 16-length victory over Milanette.

A dramatic Christmas Festival Dec 26th-29th Maiden Hurdle resulted in a dead-heat between evens favourite Call The Police and 25-1 shot Ambrosia's Promise.

The outsider made most under Shane Hassett and looked the likeliest winner after taking the third-last still in front.

However, she almost ran out at the penultimate flight and again veered left on the approach to the last, gifting the lead to the David Casey-ridden Call The Police.

There was to be a final twist in the tail, though, as Ambrosia's Promise found another gear on the run-in and came home powerfully for a share of the spoils.

Casey tasted victory again aboard James Nash's Bigbiggerbiggest (6-1), who rewarded her supporters when getting off the mark in the opening Greenmount Panoramic Restaurant Maiden Hurdle.

Philip Fenton's Strange Encounter (11-4) recorded a comfortable success in division one of the Greenmount Annual Membership Handicap Hurdle, while Templetown Hill (14-1), trained by Eoin Doyle, stayed on well to hold Grey Area by two and a half lengths in division two.