Devils Bride one for Johnson and the punters

The huge crowd who turned out for Limerick’s fundraising meeting for the Jockeys Emergency Fund cheered home a winning favourite in the opener as Devils Bride obliged at 4/11.

Richard Johnson was on board the hotpot on his first foray into a maiden hurdle race after winning two of his three bumpers. The six-year-old gelding raced to the fore with Holeinthewall Bar before moving into the lead in his own right two out.

From there all it required was hands and heels from Johnson to score by five and a half lengths. Focail Maith (10/1) took second while Tellherimhere came in third at 14/1.

Richard Johnson said: “It’s great to be here today. Everyone is here for the right reasons. Hopefully we can do some good.

“He [Willie Mullins] said to let him warm up a bit as he hadn’t schooled him over Easyfix hurdles. I’m sure he’s going to make a chaser in time. It’s an honour to ride for Willie.

“I came here once when it first opened many years ago. It’s in great condition and it’s beautiful good ground.”

Willie Mullins trained the winner and his son Patrick Mullins commented: “Dad is only after arriving in at the airport 10 minutes ago. He was in Australia watching Simenon finish third.

“This was the only horse he had that was suited to run today. It’s great to get a winner on this day. He’s a good horse, but he needs good ground and where he goes next is dictated by the ground. He might be let off and come back in the Spring. His jumping got better as the race went on.”

Gigginstown House Stud, which owns Devils Bride, announced that their prize money from this race would be donated to the Jockeys Emergency Fund.

Richard Johnson grabbed 15 points for the English-based jockeys in their challenge against their Irish-based rivals. The jockeys’ challenge incorporates the first five races on the card. The score after race one was 27-22 in favour of the English-based riders.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes