Salt Whistle Bay led home a 1,2 for Johnny Levins in the opener at Limerick this evening, the Regeneron Ireland Employee Appreciation Claiming Race.

Without a win since May of 2018, when trained in the UK by Rae Guest, the son of Royal Applause was well-beaten on his most recent start at Leopardstown last week.

Sent off at 14/1, the eight-year-old was settled in rear by Dylan Browne McMonagle and was slightly detached with four furlongs to go.

Switched to the wide outside from the two-furlong pole, the bay gelding was soon ridden and really got motoring with a furlong to race, getting up in the final strides to prevail by half-a-length. Tai Sing Yeh (17/2) was cruelly denied after attempting to make all under Donagh O'Connor. Guessthebill (6/1) was just a head back in third, while Mischief Star (11/10fav) could manage only fifth.

"That's my first winner for Johnny and my third ride," Brown McMonagle said.

"He is a grand big horse and he (Levins) was quietly fancying him as he ran a bit keen with Donagh the last day. The step back in trip was the key.

"We went very hard early and he was always getting there. He had plenty of form back in his day and went off the boil but has bounced back to form."

Tai Sing Yeh was later claimed by James McAuley for E15,000, while Wait A Little who finished 11th, was claimed by Yvonne Hennessy (to be trained by James Barcoe) for E4,000.

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards requested a report from J.F. Levins, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Salt Whistle Bay, placed first, as compared with its recent form. J.F. Levins reported that his charge was too fresh on its last run and therefore ran too free. They changed tactics today and this in his opinion brought about the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the contents of the report.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes