Archer's Up foils gamble in Limerick's opener

Archer's Up foiled a gamble on the Charles Byrnes trained runner-up Poseidon at Limerick today as he landed the dramatic opening Tote Goes Twilight Racing Maiden Hurdle for trainer Gavin Cromwell and jockey Paul Townend.

Poseidon was brought into contention by jockey Davy Russell entering the home straight but met significant interference as leader World Stage ran around approaching the second last flight.

Archer's Up (5/2 second favourite) was just fifth jumping the second last flight but as Poseidon lost momentum, Archer's Up made ground and moved past Poseidon to lead after the final flight. On the run-in Archer's Up kept galloping to beat Poseidon, heavily backed from 11/8 to 4/5f on track, by two lengths.

Champion Hurdle winning trainer Cromwell later said “he was second in two maiden hurdles last year and has been knocking on the door. I'm delighted to see him win one. He is a novice for the rest of the year and he might make a few trips over to the UK for a few novice hurdles.

"He might go back on the Flat too. He looks like he is potentially well handicapped on the Flat. He has plenty of size about him and could possibly jump a fence in time."

Quotes from Donal Murphy