Dwan and Mossback off the mark

Mossback battled gamely to make a winning debut in the concluding bumper at Limerick and give rider Evan Dwan his first success 'under rules'.

The Pat Doyle-trained Gigginstown gelding was an easy to back 8/1 shot for his first racecourse appearance.

14/1 shot Mon Lino looked like collecting in the two-miler when hitting the lead turning for home but was chased down inside final furlong by Mossback, who got up in the closing stages for a two-and-a-quarter length success.

The winner, by Yeats, is a half-brother to Staying Article, who was a smart sort for Edward O'Grady a few years ago.

Doyle said afterwards: "He is big and backward and he could do nothing but improve."

The winning rider is 19, from Cashel, Co Tipperary and "has been riding out at Pat Doyle's for six or seven years". He had ridden his first winner in a point-to-point in February.

He added:- "I did my Irish Oral Exam (as part of his Leaving Certificate) before coming here today, in Cashel Community School."

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)