Davy Russell was fully expected to follow up his day of triumph at Cheltenham yesterday with another success aboard Kerrieonvic in the opening 2m5f maiden hurdle at Limerick.

However the Old Vic gelding filled the runner-up spot for the fourth successive time as Golden Plan proved too strong on the run-in. Casino Markets set the pace put was reeled in by the two principals entering the straight, and Russell appeared to ooze confidence at this point on the well-backed 1/2 favourite.

However when the Gold Cup winning rider pushed the button he didn’t get the anticipated reaction and Golden Plan (7/1) proved a length too good.

The pair pulled a massive 30 lengths clear of Positive Approach in third.

Winning trainer Mark Fahey said, “He won his point-to-point on similar ground. He just wasn’t right in himself the last day but apart from that he was running consistently well all year. We’ll keep him going as long as it’s soft, and if it dries out we’ll leave him off.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes