Sapphire shines brightest on debut over fences

Miss Sapphire got off the mark on her first try over fences, as she kept on best to take the Twilight Evenings At Limerick Racecourse Beginners Chase.

Successful three times over flights last year, the daughter of Flemensfirth was last seen finishing second at Killarney in August.

Having opened at 2/1 on-course this afternoon, the Danny Mullins ridden six-year-old eventually went off the 11/8 favourite in the colours of the Blue Blood Racing Club.

Prominent in the early stages, the Willie Mullins (completing a double on the card) trained victor dropped to third with over a circuit to race, as Jaime Sommers took over in the front.

The winner came with her effort approaching the second last, but jumped left there, and needed to be ridden out on the run-in to reel-in the aforementioned Jaime Sommers, going on to score by a length and a half.

The runner-up was returned at 10/1 under Cathal Landers for Michael Bowe, while Templemore Dream (10/1) was another length and three parts back in third. Black Warrior (3/1) was still in with every chance when coming down after the second last.

The winning rider said afterwards: "She was a good mare for me last summer and has had a later start this year but has picked up pretty much where she left off. She had a little hold up earlier in the year which was nothing serious.

"She seems to jump a fence well and Willie is a master at placing these and hopefully we'll win a few more."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes