Liszt jumps a hurdle on his way to victory under Mick Darcy© Photo Healy Racing
Mervyn Torrens recorded his first winner since January as his Liszt (11/1) put in a game front running performance to take the Limerick Racecourse Handicap Hurdle.
Ridden by Mick Darcy (first winner since August 12th) the grey son of Galileo made all and set a strong pace.
He was pressed briefly entering the straight but he asserted again at the second last and despite a poor jump at the last he had enough in hand to come home a comfortable five and a half length winner. Thepartysover finished second under Eddie Power at 25/1 while Maguire's Glen was a further two and a quarter lengths back in third at 33/1 under Pat Kennedy for Liz Doyle. Last Time D'albain was sent off the even money favourite under Ruby Walsh for Liam Cusack but he never looked like winning and finish a disappointing fifth.
The winner was twice victorious on the level earlier in his career when trained by Aidan O’Brien. He then had a spell in the UK before moving to his current yard.
He made big money at the sales as a foal and yearling and was sold for €255,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale in 2006 and for €550,000 at the Goffs Million Yearling Sale in 2007.
However after failing to live up to expectations on the racecourse he was sold for just 3,000 Guineas at the Tattersalls Horses-in-Training Sale in 2010.
Mervyn Torrens said afterwards: "He was overdue a win over hurdles. I had a fear he would get caught but he likes flat tracks. He will probably stay over hurdles now and we might bring him back here at Christmas time." Beckwith Star who finished fourth for Henry De Bromhead and Andrew Lynch was subsequently disqualified after Lynch weighed in four pounds light.
The Stewards subsequently fined De Bromhead €200 for failing apply a lead bag.
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
