Vercingetorix impresses on hurdling debut

Vercingetorix justified odds-on favouritism in the opener at Limerick, the Irish Field 3yo Hurdle, scoring with consummate ease under Davy Condon for Gordon Elliott.

The French import opened on-course at 8/13 touching 4/7 before going off a 4/5 chance in the colours of Simon Munir.

The son of Dylan Thomas came with his challenge turning into the straight and hit the front approaching two out, stretching clear before the last, going on to score by seven and a half lengths. Crystal Pearl finished second at 8/1 (touched 10/s on-course) under Phillip Enright for Charles Byrnes while Social Riser was three and three parts of a length back in third under Mikey Fogarty for Ken Condon at 9/2.

Joey Elliott, brother of winning trainer Gordon, said afterwards: "He is a nice horse and he jumped well. He will have learned a lot. He is a laid back horse and he goes through that ground but he will also go on better ground."

Paddy Power introduced the winner at 16/1 for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes