Lazer Wolf and Keith Donoghue pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Lazer Wolf deservedly made the breakthrough on his twelfth track start, as he claimed the four-runner Limerick Racecourse Maiden Hurdle.
A runner-up on recent outings at Fairyhouse and Naas respectively, the Gavin Cromwell-trained six-year-old was sent off the 8/13 favourite (6/5 in early shows) this afternoon.
Sent to the front before the fourth, the Getaway bay was pressed by market rival Whimsy (6/5) on the approach to the penultimate obstacle.
Pushed along away from the last, the Keith Donoghue-ridden victor always appeared to be in control and came home a length-and-three-quarters in front of the aforementioned Whimsy.
The front pair were all of 30-lengths clear of Mount Beuvray in third.
"Obviously he had been knocking on the door but it was straightforward and it looked a good enough opportunity," Donoghue said of the Gerard Browne-owned victor.
"Anthony McCann's mare (Whimsy) was getting plenty of weight from us and on the ratings was better in but everything went well in the race.
"He could build into a nice two-mile chaser as he isn't slow and is a good jumper. Hopefully he can build on that it can do his confidence good."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes