The Ryans Cleaning Maiden Hurdle at Limerick today was reduced to just three runners but in the end proved dramatic with one-time tailed off Instant Smile (7/1) finishing with a grand late flourish to grab 2/11 favourite Ben Button close home for a half length win.

Just six horses had been declared for the race and while morning favourite (even money generally) Be The Hero was taken out with a stone bruise, Five Hawk Wings (temperature) and then Kilclooney Wood (passport irregularity) also joined him on the sidelines.

Winner Instant Smile had gradually been left behind by leaders Crocodile Dundee and Ben Button climbing the back straight and looked all at sea in last with half a mile to race.

Ben Button looked the likely winner jumping the second last, having moved past Crocodile Dundee, but the John Joe Walsh trained winner, under an inspired ride from Ambrose McCurtin, kept plugging away and eventually reeled in the leader in the closing stages.

Following the win pleasantly surprised Walsh, whose Never Again also won the opener, stated “the ground is bad and the other two boys went off in front and burned themselves out.

“He hadn't shown us a lot in point to points but is very big - 17 hands, and wanted time. He'll go for a handicap hurdle next.”

Walsh later recorded a treble in the following handicap hurdle with Monasteradenpauric moving the trainer on to the 21 winner mark in a remarkably successful season.

Winning jockey Ambrose McCurtin was himself also recording a double having steered Barnahash Rose to win the earlier Grade 3 novice hurdle.

By Tom Weekes