Elite Des Mottes cut down That's Lifebuoy in the closing stages of the Croom Mares Handicap Hurdle in Limerick.

Gary Noonan sent Elite Des Mottes into third racing to the penultimate flight and the mare had to bridge a gap of three lengths to That's Lifebuoy and Powerful Out between the last two flights.

She jumped it well and stayed on well to collar That's Lifebuoy who had got the better of Powerful Out towards the business end.

The 3/1 favourite won going away by a length and a quarter. Runner-up That's Lifebuoy was returned at 14/1. Powerful Out could give no extra in third at 9/2.

"She is a lovely mare and was very childish to racing. Now the penny has dropped, she is really running consistently and is a big scopey mare who should be nice jumping fences next season," trainer Eoin McCarthy said.

"Gary said he got squeezed turning in but, if anything, it might have helped him as she was able to fill up her lungs again and came with her run.

"She is on the go a long time and we'll freshen her up now for a spring/autumn campaign and might end up in Listowel in a beginners chase in September."

Elite Des Mottes doubled her career tally as she was also successful in a handicap hurdle at Killarney last month.

The Stewards interviewed G.B. Noonan, rider of Elite Des Mottes (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence G.B. Noonan accepted that he had breached the whip guidelines and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that G.B. Noonan was in breach of R10(3)(i) by failing to allow his mount at least three strides to respond to the whip. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended G.B. Noonan for two racedays.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes