Caballo De Marcus (inside) and Living Next Door jump the last together© Photo Healy Racing
The Tony Martin trained Living Next Door just got the better of Caballo De Marcus in an exciting finish to the Limerick Racecourse Membership Maiden Hurdle.
The 6yo son of Beneficial won a point-to-point at The Pigeons in March but disappointed on six starts over fences on the racecourse since.
Having his first start over hurdles this afternoon, he raced in third in the early stages and moved into second from the fourth last.
He came with his challenge in the early straight where he joined the runner-up.
The duo then had a great battle from there with Living Next Door staying on best under pressure to lead in the final strides and win by a head.
Caballo De Marcus had to settle for second at 9/1 (opened 11/1 on-course) under Ben Dalton for Conor O’Dwyer while Adroon Bridge was a further twenty-six length back in third at 50/1 for Joseph Quinn and Mick Darcy.
Tony Martin said afterwards: "He is improving all the time. He stays well and gallops. He is a proper old fashioned chaser.
"This looked a good opportunity but obviously we had fortune on our side (favourite falling at the second). He will make a nice staying hurdler and chaser.
"He jumped well enough but he just missed one or two down the back."
The Willie Mullins trained Tempo Du Camp was sent off the 1/5 favourite but he blundered at the first before falling at the second under Davy Russell.
Unfortunately the Gigginstown House Stud owned gelding was fatally injured.
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
