Limerick Lace justified morning market support to secure a first Graded success in the Grade 2 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase on Friday.
Heavy rain hit the track ten minutes before the off and conditions quickly became tricky in the gathering gloom of Friday afternoon. The Willie Mullins-trained Instit and Stuard Edmunds' Marsh Wren shared an early lead, setting a fair but honest pace. Jumping quickly became the name of the game in the pouring rain, with jockey Keith Donoghue settling Limerick Lace into a good rhythm on the inside rail. It appeared to be her race to lose rounding the final turn, but the well-fancied Dinoblue made gradual progress from the third-last to pitch a challenge up the run-in. Although Limerick Lace flashed her tail a few times in the closing stages, she stayed on well to secure the victory for Gavin Cromwell ahead of Dinoblue, with early leader Marsh Wren holding on for third.
More to follow…
