Quilixios made a winning return to action following an absence of 610 days. © Photo Healy Racing
Former Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios survived a final fence blunder to make a winning return in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Limerick.
Making his debut over fences on his first run for 610 days, the Henry De Bromhead trained gelding belied both a lack of chasing experience and possible fitness to run out a cosy winner at the line.
Matching strides with market rival Cool Survivor for much of this race, the Rachael Blackmore ridden Maxios gelding appeared to be just getting the better of that aforementioned horse when making a bad mistake at the final obstacle.
However, Blackmore remained cool, giving Quilixios time to recover before renewing their challenge on Cool Survivor. Edging ahead close home to win by a neck, the evens favourite had more in hand then the bare margin suggests.
Rachael Blackmore said: "I'm not sure what happened us at the last but he jumped a little right throughout.
"It is great to get him back and he is beautiful. He feels like a very good horse - which we know he is and it was a great result albeit it wasn't that pretty."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
