Poker School beating Just Get Cracking© Photo Healy Racing
Just one of the six runners in the four-year-old bumper at Limerick had the benefit of previous experience, and it was one of those newcomers Poker School that took the honours.
The Gold Well gelding made much of the running under Nina Carberry, although Just Got Cracking launched what appeared a winning challenge early in the straight.
However the Timmy Hyde-trained gelding dug deep inside the final furlong for Carberry, staying on dourly to score by a length and a half.
The 4/6 favourite Ange d’Or Javilex, third on his debut at Down Royal last month, could find no extra in the straight finishing a further six and a half lengths adrift in third.
Hyde said, “I thought he’d need the run on that heavy ground but he’s a very genuine and placid horse.
“He’s by a very good stallion who had a winner at Cheltenham with Holywell. I’ve nothing in mind but he has schooled well over hurdles.”
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
