Mag Dillane (left) puts in a fine leap at the last under Mark McDonagh© Photo Healy Racing
Eric McNamara's Mag Dillane made the breakthrough on her tenth start, as she claimed the Limerick Racecourse Opportunity Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Out of Listed bumper winner Gaillimh A Chroi, the locally trained six-year-old was well-fancied to open her account this afternoon and was returned a 13/8 chance under Cratloe rider Mark McDonagh.
Settled in mid-division, the John Leahy and Rhona Buckley-owned bay took closer order from five out and came with her challenge on the inner approaching the penultimate flight.
A slow jump there didn't help her cause, but she made her way to the front before the last and kept on well in the closing stages, going on to prevail by two-and-a-quarter lengths.
Point-to-point winner Lep Around (11/1) filled the runner-up spot under John Shinnick for Marie Harding, while the front-running Ixigreczed (50/1) was another five-and-a-half lengths away in third.
Returned the 10/11 favourite, Ah Fuhgeddaboudit could only manage a disappointing fourth.
"I'm delighted to win with her. I thought going into the race that she had the best form. She's a solid mare and I don't think she will go up for winning that," McNamara, who was also on the mark at Naas on Sunday, commented.
"It was an average maiden hurdle, but she was entitled to win one.
"I would have thought that she will go chasing straight away. I think she will make a better mare over fences."
STEWARDS REPORT
J.P. Shinnick, rider of Lep Around, trained by Miss M.Harding, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left throughout.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
