Ex-pointer lands Limerick's maiden hurdle

Expensive point-to-point purchase Ask Anything justified 5/6 favouritism despite providing his supporters with some scares today, in landing Limerick's Christmas Festival Tickets Sale Maiden Hurdle on seasonal reappearance.

An October Loughbrickland point-to-point winner for Michael R. Murphy and bought for £90,000, the five-year-old was subsequently unplaced in three hot bumpers - qualifying him for today's race, which was confined to previously-unplaced horses.

Ridden by Keith Donoghue, Ask Anything travelled well but came under pressure while at the same moment erring at the second-last, although found plenty to lead jumping the last to beat Larkfield Lusive

Winning trainer Gavin Cromwell wasn't present and Donoghue reported “I tried to keep it simple, he was a little keen early on and his jumping was a little bit high.

“I thought I was in bother at the second-last when he hit a flat spot, but he got a good jump at the last and galloped out to the line well.

“It looked a nice race for him today and while he'll have to step up, we knew he'd come on a good bit from the run. He looks a stayer and got away with the ground.”