'Mad' gamble beaten at Limerick as Cullen collects

Owner, breeder and trainer Denis Hickey won the Guinness Maiden Hurdle at Limerick today with Buckie Cullen in a race where unplaced Dont Go Mad was the subsequent of a big gamble.

Thirteen to eight favourite Polished Steel had held the position as market leader for the race since Sunday but was almost usurped late-on as the late plunge on the Charles Byrnes trained Dont Go Mad saw that rival go off 7/4, having opened 7/1 on track.

In the race, Dont Go Mad was unable to challenge in the final mile and finished fifth, while Polished Steel folded in the home straight. Buckie Cullen, under jockey Jonathan Moore, in contrast found plenty for pressure on the run-in when beating runner-up Coillte Eilie by a length and a quarter.

Hickey later stated “I don't know where we'll go next, we'll have to find a winners' of one or handicap next.

“He won two point-to-points last year and is from the same family as Bob Treacy who won two Thyestes Chases for us.

“I had no intention of running him over hurdles only to give him experience and he ran so well in Gowran I said we'd stick at it as it would be a pity no to.

“He loves jumping but will stay over hurdles for now.”