Trainer John McConnell notched consecutive Limerick festival wins, a day apart, today as his Drumbear made a winning chase debut in today's opening Cargill Neomilk Rated Novice Chase.

McConnell won yesterday's bumper finale with Bold Reflection and today Drumbear (5/1), having his first start since May, made virtually in scoring under jockey Johnny Barry.

Runner-up Limerick Lace loomed up to challenge jumping the second-last but Drumbear found more on the run-in and scored by four and three parts of a length.

McConnell wasn't present and afterwards Barry said “John (McConnell) was very sweet on him and he told me had good enough form last year. He said he jumps very well but wasn't sure how well he'd handle this heavy ground. He handled it very well, jumped very well and was good and tough.

“I spoke to Ben Harvey last night and he said not to fight him and leave him at it. He said when you start to fight him he gets too racey and the hood helped him today also.

“I was worried when Denis (O'Regan on Limerick Lace) came to me at the second-last but in fairness to my lad he jumped that fence well, stuck his head out and galloped the whole way to the line.”

“They'll have plenty of fun with him for the rest of the season.”