Young Dev opens up another crack at Midlands National

Young Dev brought up his third Limerick success when produced by Daniel King in the three mile handicap hurdle.

The 4/1 favourite travelled into contention at the penultimate flight and soon picked off Earths Furies upon touching down.

he asserted before the last from his toiling rivals and looked home for all money once he cleared the last, however, he was all out in the closing stages and Earths Furies got a second wind.

The margin was reduced, but Young Dev held on by a length and a quarter from the 16/1 runner-up. Time Marches On (11/2) finished third in front of Backintheroom (33/1).

Trainer Denis Hogan said: "He is very reliable, loves these conditions and loves Limerick. He takes a while to get going every year but, generally from here on he has his conditions and weather.

"Racing on autumn soft ground isn't the same as proper Limerick winter ground and he comes into his own now.

"He was second in the Midlands National (at Uttoxeter) last year and will possibly go back there again. There aren't many races to suit him over extreme distances with his rating, but he will go back there for that one."

Young Dev has won five races in his career with the other two coming in Punchestown and Navan.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes