Sapphire strolls to third hurdle win

Miss Sapphire justified her short price in the mares novice hurdle at Limerick with an effortless all-the-way victory.

Willie Mullins' charge was sent to post a 4/11 shot having been 4/6 this morning and punters never had a anxious moment.

Danny Mullins' mount did get close to a few of her hurdles but stretched away turning for home from nearest rival Penny Jane

The Flemensfirth mare extended that advantage down over the last two flights and was 16 lengths clear at the line as she recorded her third victory over hurdles.

"She is a lovely mare, does her job well and stays well. She'd be better with a lead but the only way we were going to get beaten today was allow somebody to make it a speed test and as long as it was a stamina test, we were a winner all over,” said the winning jockey.s

"I wouldn't worry about her looking around and at least with that, she won't give herself too hard a race and hopefully she'll win a few more.

"I ride her and thankfully Willie (Mullins) has left me on her. Hopefully it stays that way and the longer I keep Ruby off her the better!"

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)