Bal Kauto another for favourite backers at Limerick

Bal Kauto made it four from four for favourite backers at Limerick, as he claimed the second divide of the Regeneron Ireland Handicap Hurdle.

Previously trained by Turlough O'Connor, the French bred son of Balko was the subject of a gamble on his debut for Declan Queally at Tramore in April.

He could manage only sixth at the Graun Hill venue but was again sent off favourite this evening and was returned at the odds of 7/4.

In a first time hood, the six-year-old raced in mid-division on the inner under Shane Fitzgerald and took closer order from four out.

In a share of the lead on the approach to the second last, he led narrowly before the final flight and kept on well when ridden in the closing stages, going on to score by two-and-a-half lengths.

The front-running Macs Lady (66/1) finished a gallant second under Ben Harvey, while Susie Miller (14/1) was a further six-and-a-half lengths back in third, with Roccorionach (11/1) fourth.

"I have him nine or 10 weeks and he is a fun horse," jockeys' valet and winning owner Liam Cleary commented.

"He has a super pedigree but has had a few little issues which Declan seems to have ironed out as best he can.

"Tramore can be a tricky track and he isn't a small horse. He is a fine big athletic horse so I'd say he got a bit unbalanced coming down the hill.

"It was Shane's first time riding him, he wanted to ride him patiently and I thought he finished out the race quite well. A step up in trip will help him as well."

He added: "I've had winners in the past at a low level but it is hard to get winners in this country. I'm valeting 13 years this year and I'm very busy, today as two of the lads are away on holiday."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes