Coachman has Easter options after cosy Limerick win

Thedevilscoachman asserted in good style on the run-in to run out a cosy winner of the featured Way To Paris @Coolagown Stud Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase at Limerick this afternoon.

Noel Meade 's charge went to post 11/8 favourite for the three-miler Grade 3 contest having been as short as 4/5 before racing.

Denis O'Regan settled behind the leaders on the JP McManus-owned gelding in the early stages and was closer in third at the halfway stage.

The Elusive Pimpernel gelding was slightly untidy when coming to challenge two from home but joined Grandero Bello over the last and went on in the closing stages to post a two-and-a-half length win.

It was a second victory at this level this season for the winner, who had been promoted after suffering interference when finishing second to Ramillies at Naas in late January.

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said afterwards:-

"That was grand and the ground was made for him. It was an ideal race and you couldn't have it soft enough for him. You couldn't have asked for better today.

"We'll see what Noel thinks and how he comes out of the race but we'll see about the Irish National. If he got really soft ground it might be a different kettle of fish and he could run in the Fairyhouse Gold Cup.

"Denis let him warm up into it and the further he went, the better he jumped. You could only be happy with him and Denis is a good sub for Mark (Walsh). Mark is in better form this week and hopefully will be back for Easter. It is quite slow but he is getting there."

The winner was shortened into 5/1 from 8/1 favourite by Paddy Power for the Irish Grand National.

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)