Gambled on Serve runs away with feature

The feature race of the evening at Limerick, the Grant Thornton Novice Chase over two miles, went to the 9/2 shot Serve Time for trainer Paul Gilligan.

Backed from as big as 10/1 this morning the 9yo took up the lead before two out and soon went clear to win easily by seven lengths.

This was an excellent training performance by Co Galway based Gilligan, as the winner was having his first start for him and hadn't raced since September of last year.

Bred by the Queen, the son of Benny the Dip, was recording his fifth win on his thirteenth start and his first over fences.

His four wins came when he was in the care of Noel Glynn. He was since with Alan Daly before moving to his current yard.

Winning rider Barry Geraghty was recording a quick double here having scored on Hans Crescent thirty five minutes earlier. Cottage Oak finished best of the rest at 7/1 under Davy Condon, while the 5/2 joint favourites, King of Redfield and Prosperity Square disappointed finishing third and fifth respectively.

Winning trainer Paul Gilligan said afterwards: "I only have him about a month. He did a nice piece of work at Tipperary last week.

"I wouldn't mind bringing him to Galway now.

"Barry (Geraghty) was very happy with him.

"I have some lovely winter horses but I don’t have many for the summer."

Donal Murphy