Dale Street (9/2) provided Mick Darcy with his first win back since returning from an alcohol problem as he took the opener at Limerick, the Ladies Day 13th October Maiden Hurdle.

The seven-year-old son of Luso travelled strongly entering the straight, soon hitting the front and keeping on well from there to score by four lengths. Cool Klan the 2/1 favourite, was been niggled along from before the straight, but he did plug on to take second under Davy Russell for David O’Brien, while Ansiei (5/1) ran a nice race to take third, just a head back, under Phillip Enright for Vincent Halley.

The winner was recording his first career success on his thirteen start, his tenth over hurdles.

Mick Darcy, who was recording his first win since the 27th of December, said afterwards: "That is my first winner back since returning from an alcohol problem.

"I spent a month in Aiseiri and I was trying to get my head straight.

"I’d like to thank Andy Geraghty and Katie Tobin for being very good friends and I hope people will support me.

"I’m happy to keep working and riding winners.

"I was riding out for my good friend Johnny Murtagh for a while and I started with Dessie a month ago."

Hughes said about the winner: "I don’t think he is up to winning a handicap and I hope the handicapper drops him a few pounds for that!

"I might go chasing soon with him."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes