Limerick Lace ran out a ready victor of the four-year-old mares’ bumper at the point-to-point bumper fixture at Punchestown on Monday to get the day of to a good start for Derek O’Connor.
Tracking the favourite Jenny Flex throughout, the 3/1 shot was carried slightly wide off the home bend by the long-time leader, but once the daughter of Walk In The Park was asked to quicken by Derek O’Connor, the response was immediate as she moved through before the final furlong and went on to record quite a comfortable nine and a half length success by the line.
A rare runner in the point-to-point sphere by Gavin Cromwell, the four-year-old is a homebred for the McManus family and it is a pedigree that Cromwell knows well as he trains all three of her siblings who have enjoyed success and she looks to have a promising career in front of her having beaten the well-bred favourite Jenny Flex handsomely, with Aidan Fitzgerald’s outsider Tintern Abbey taking third.
“I was a bit nervous turning in because Colin Bowe’s horse is a big strong filly, she is the most gorgeous filly and she quickened off the corner and had a bit more toe, so I’d say when we look back on it I’d say they are two nice sorts and Walk In The Park as well so you can’t go wrong,” said the winning rider.
“I’d say she could do anything now to be honest she has that nice cruising speed and a little bit of speed and handled those soft conditions well.”
