Celtic Dancer swoops on the line

Celtic Dancer (5/1 co favourite) absolutely flew home to nail Ard Na Carraig on the line in the Follow Limerick Racecourse On Twitter Handicap Hurdle for father and son Eric and Conor McNamara.

The winner had plenty to do in fourth at the last as Ard Na Carraig took over from Jessamine and went for home.

However, Celtic Dancer thundered home down the outside to pip Ard Na Carraig (5/1 co favourite) by a nose at the end of two and a quarter miles. Cloak Of Darkness came in third at 7/1, a further length and three parts away.

Eric McNamara said: "I thought he was done on the photo but it seems to favour this side.

"He gave him a fine ride - he's a lovely horse but he's not the best jumper in the world. He tends to make mistakes when you really need to keep him in his race but seems to jump the Easyfix hurdles better than the traditional ones.

"He is progressive and he's entered at Killarney on Thursday and we'll have a look at that."

The Stewards received a report from Mr. L. Walsh, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Clerk of the Scales that L.P. Gilligan, rider of Ard Na Carraig, had presented himself at scales to ride at 2lbs overweight in this race, which was not declared in accordance with Rule 195 (i). Evidence was heard from the rider concerned and from Oliver McKiernan, trainer of Ard Na Carraig. Having considered the evidence and L.P. Gilligan's record in this regard, the Stewards did not allow the overweight and ordered the substitution of the rider. The Stewards were satisfied that L.P. Gilligan was in breach of Rule 195 (i), and they therefore suspended him for three race days in accordance with Rule 198 (vii) and reminded him of his future responsibilities in this regard. The Stewards granted permission for D.J. McInerney to replace L.P. Gilligan.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes