After winning the opener at Leopardstown with Mr Adjudicator Willie Mullins quickly doubled-up with Sympa Des Flos in the first at Limerick, the Goggin Buckley Maiden Hurdle.

Second on his last three starts, the French bred son of Tiger Groom was stepped up in trip to two mile six for the first time today.

Backed from 9/4 to even money favourite on-course, the chestnut five-year-old was sent straight to the front by Danny Mullins.

He made a mistake five out, but quickly regained his momentum, stretching clear from the second last, going on to score easily by sixteen lengths. Denham Hana ran on to take second at 33/1 under Donal McInerney for Paul Nolan, while Great Khan (7/1) was half a length back in third, with Phillip Enright in the saddle for Edward O'Grady.

The winning rider said afterwards: "It was a good performance. He had been fairly solid in his form up to now and the step up in trip probably suited and fingers crossed he'll go on to do a bit more.

"It was a proper test of stamina and he galloped all the way to the line. Fingers crossed Willie can find a nice slot for him now."

STEWARDS REPORTS

K.M. Donoghue, rider of Double Portrait trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped quickly and pulled up.

Owing to the low lying sun, the Stewards granted permission for the omission of the third last hurdle in this race.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Double Portrait, trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Young Paddymc trained by Thomas Gibney was found to have pulled its right hind shoe post race.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes