Limestone Lad made a winning return to hurdles at Naas today, recording a bold pillar to post success under Shane McGovern in the 2 mile 4 furlong hurdle. Securing his second successive victory in the contest, the prolific scorer showed no ill-effects of the muscle injury picked up last month when coming home six lengths clear of Slaney Native. Speaking after the race, Michael Bowe said: "He's getting smart in his old age. I only gave him a pop over hurdles last week and Shane said the more he jumped the more he warmed up."
Sackville got back on the Cheltenham trail when powering home in the 3 mile £35,000 Grade 3 Chase. Having missed an engagement at Leopardstown over Christmas due to a hind leg infection, the 2/5 chance tracked front-running Rose Of Inchiquin until Barry Geraghty coaxed the warm favourite to lead approaching two out.
Cork firm Cashmans left the eight-year-old unchanged at 6/1 for the Sun Alliance Chase in March, while they make Limestone Lad a similar price for the Stayers. Kildare businessman Dermot Cox had his colours carried to victory aboard Takagi (4/6-1/2f), who justified favouritism with the minimum of fuss to initiate a double for Barry Geraghty in the opening 2m 3f maiden hurdle.
Favourite backers suffered a cruel blow during the three mile handicap chase, when top-weight Peggy's Lad was brought down by Baltic Magic in the early stages. But for those who supported Section Seven, they had better fortune when Austin Leahy's charge nearly unseated Philip Carberry at the last before going on to score by six lengths.
Timber King (1/1f) proved another losing favourite in the Irish Racing Writer's Novice Hurdle, coming home third behind game winner Al O'Connell's Glens Music (7/1) and Tommy Treacy. Racing concluded with the Denise Foster-trained Supreme Touch (5/1) staying on best of all in the testing conditions to score under Peter Buchanan.
Filed by Shane Murray
