Face Facts for his trainer Prunella Dobbs with Robbie Henderson aboard, took the penultimate race on the card at Limerick this evening, the Limerick Tri Nations Challenge Handicap Hurdle for Qualified Riders.

Having opened the 9/4 favourite this morning the winning son of Luso, drifted all the way out to 7/2 at the off and shared favouritism with Ardnavalley

Turning into the straight for the final time the race looked to be between Street Runner (20/1) and Early June (20/1), however Face Facts closed on the pair approaching the second last.

Street Runner just held the advantage at the last but the winner stayed on best on the run-in to see of the game runner-up by a length at the line with Early June eight lengths adrift in third.

Jockeys from Ireland, France and Great Britain took part in this challenge with Robbie Henderson from team Great Britain coming out on top.

Twenty-one year old Henderson works for Alan King and is originally from Dorset. This was his twelfth winner under rules, having had around twenty in point-to-points.

When asked by a member of the press whether Nicky Henderson was his father, he replied "I wouldn't be messing about in these type of races if he was!"

He went on to say that his father trains a few point-to-pointers in the UK.

Winning trainer Prunella Dobbs said afterwards: "Robbie rode him very well. He is a consistent horse and hasn't run a bad race all year. He is a summer horse and will tip away now for the rest of the summer.

Donal Murphy