Luimneach and Aidan Kelly chase Cheerful Chap over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Greenmount Park was a fitting venue for Luimneach to open his account as he swooped on the run-in to land the spoils in the opening 'unplaced' maiden hurdle at Limerick this afternoon.
The Des McDonogh-trained gelding tracked the leaders in the two-mile-three contest before being asked, by Aidan Kelly, to take closer order turning for home.
The Fame And Glory gelding took a bit of a chance at the second last but was big and bold at the final flight as he gave chase to long-time leader Cheerful Chap
Luimneach, owned by JP McManus, galloped on strongly to grab the lead on the run-in and record a length success at odds of 3/1.
"Luimneach for Limerick! I'm gone from Limerick 55 or 56 years now and I was born and reared in Summerville Avenue in the city, which you can see from here,” said McDonogh.
"When I saw the horse's name first, I thought 'oh my god!' as there was a lot expected and this is the first step anyway."
He added:- “He did that nicely and stayed on very well. We were lucky to get the first go at the inside track too as by the evening I'm sure it'll be cut up. He is rated 97 so what the handicapper will give him now I don't know."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
