The penny eventually dropped on Suntiep s debut and he sprouted wings to claim the limerickraces.ie Flat Race.

Willie Mullins' 7-4 shot appeared booked for minor honours heading into the final furlong, but the trainer's son Patrick conjured a late rally out of him and he caught Why Ask Me on the line.

Mullins had less cause for celebration after Sarabad let down favourite-backers for the fourth consecutive occasion since arriving in Ireland.

The French import was sent off at 8-13 for the Follow LRC On Facebook Maiden Hurdle, but Ruby Walsh was hard at work rounding the turn for home and although Sarabad rallied to challenge jumping the last, Courageous Cry (12-1) had plenty left in reserve and quickened away for a three-and-a-half-length call.

The champion trainer suffered more disappointment when Tempo Du Camp crashed out in the early stages of the Limerick Racecourse Annual Membership Maiden Hurdle.

At the business end, Walsh was seen at his strongest to get the Tony Martin-trained Living Next Door (6-1) up in the last stride to collar Caballo De Marcus < Liszt a Ballydoyle inmate in a former life, broke his National Hunt duck at the 12th attempt in the Limerick Racecourse Handicap Hurdle.

The 11-1 chance fell when tackling the bigger obstacles at Punchestown on his previous outing but relished the return to timber and readily saw off the threat of Thepartysover by five and a half lengths.< Backinthere (9-1) overcame a lengthy absence to land the spoils in the Munster Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Eamonn Gallagher's successful pointer hadn't been seen in public since June 2011 but didn't lack for fitness in the finish, fighting off Milestone Miss by half a length.< Happy New Year defied a 4lb penalty for Saturday's Gowran Park success in the Greenmount Annual Membership (QR) Handicap Hurdle.

It was much harder work for Oliver McKiernan's 13-8 market leader here, though, as he was all out to fend off Sherika by a neck.