Despite his win at Laytown last week, many would have had Limit Long down as a doubtful stayer in the second split of the Book Online @ DundalkStadium.com Handicap but the 14/1 chance (from 6s this morning) made all and managed to cling on for a narrow victory.

Billy Lee, doubling up after scoring on odds-on favourite Chaos Control in the nursery, opened up a clear lead on the Lope De Vega gelding who had raced beyond 7f only once in 27 previous starts.

All of Lee’s rival jockeys were hard at work early in the straight but, with his mount’s stamina starting to ebb in the final furlong, the line came just in time with the staying-on Lily Of The Glen (8/1) still a neck adrift at the finish.

The consistent Boasty (7/2) was a further three quarters of a length away in third.

Winning trainer Darren Bunyan, who had two seconds earlier on the card, said: “That was a savage ride by Billy. I said to him going out to just let him bowl along. It’s all about filling him up and giving him a bit of confidence.

“Finny (Maguire) was magic on him in Laytown as well. He’s a tricky horse to win with as he has his moments.

“He’s a serious work horse at home and things are starting to go in the right direction for him.

“He’s a horse that will jump a hurdle as well. He’s a natural jumper and has done plenty of schooling at home. He wouldn’t be a winter ground jumper but there will be plenty of fun to be had with him.”

Quotes from Alan Magee