O'Brien seals his first Graded success

The Grade 2 Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase at Limerick was certainly a race of contrasting fortunes, but it was Caoimhe’s Delight (5/1) who came through to get the valuable pot. Backinthere was at the head of affairs as the eight runners came to the fifth fence in this two miles six contest. English raider Baby Shine then assumed the lead before the third last only to lose it again to Backinthere at the second last. The English horse rallied to lead at the final fence but took a crashing fall at that obstacle.

Caoimhe’s Delight came through on the run-in to beat Civena (14/1) by a length and three quarters with 12/1 shot Backinthere third. Byerley Babe the even money favourite, finished out of the places in fourth, beaten nine and a half lengths.

Winning trainer Sean O’Brien said: “The reason she was beaten the last time was my fault. I told Paul (Townend) to force the pace and it killed her on bottomless tacky ground.

“I wasn’t going to run her until four or five days ago when she started to show me a little bit at home. Davy Condon spoke to Paul on the phone for instructions.

“We were in unbelievable trouble at the top, but they went a very strong gallop at the front. Over a trip and nicer ground there might be a nice handicap for her.

“It’s my first Graded win and that’s grand now for when she goes to stud. I wish her brother (Golantilla) had run better at Cheltenham!”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes