Jockey Eddie Power came to the aid of favourite backers in the opening ladbrokes.com Maiden Hurdle at Limerick this evening, winning despite having to contend with a broken rein and slipped saddle.

Power was riding 7/2f Dorset Square when his left rein snapped after the third hurdle. However Power, to his credit, kept things under control, steering the horse along the running rail to eventually record a length and three parts win over Lisard Castle

Although not clear on first viewing, Dorset Square´s saddle actually slipped backwards racing along the back straight, a factor which certainly accounted for Dorset Square swishing his tail in the straight.

Power explained "my left rein broke after jumping the third hurdle and I was only able to steer with my right hand."

He added "I kept my whip in my left hand and that helped steer but then my saddle slipped back and all that was keeping things together was my breast-plate! The horse swished his tail in the straight but the saddle was pinching him."

Winning trainer John Murphy was quite to praise the winning ride, saying "that was some riding performance and Eddie did very well to keep so cool.""