Strong 11/10 favourite Myles Ahead ran out a convincing winner of the opening Celebrating The 4th July Maiden Hurdle at Limerick.

Andrew Lynch 's mount asserted his superiority over Rocky Court from before the second last.

The Desert King gelding could afford to get the last wrong and still saunter home by four and three parts of a length.

Winning trainer Anthony Mulholland said: "He had been knocking on the door and putting him back to two miles helped. We'll look for a handicap at Galway next. He's owned by Henry and his son John McCourt from Roscommon."

The Stewards interviewed B.T. O'Connell, rider of Whiskey No Ice concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.

Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found B.T. O'Connell in breach of Reg 10 3. (g) by using the whip with the arm over shoulder height and having taken his record into account suspended him for three race days.

John Gerard Fitzgerald, trainer of Cliffords Reprieve (GB), reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge made a respiratory noise in-running and pulled up

(TW & EM)