Credit wins with ease on 31st start

On her thirty first career start Credit Box (6/1) finally got her head in front as she took the Limerick's Live 95FM Beginners Chase, for her trainer Maurice Keane with Martin Ferris aboard.

This was just her second start over fences however, having finished fourth to Benefit of Porter on her penultimate start at Listowel, which was her first attempt over chases.

The winning daughter of Witness Box has gone close in the past, filling the runner-up position four times while she has finished third on three occasions.

With the last two bypassed due to the fall of Canal Cottage (who got up after his fall) at the second last first time around, it turned into a straight run home from the turn-in, with Credit Box easily taking it up and going on to score by a comfortable six lengths. Carrleoni who led into the straight, plugged on to take second under treble seeking Barry Geraghty at 6/1, while Doctor Doctuir ran a cracker to finish a further half a length back in third at 20/1.

The 5/2 favourite Zagman for Davy Russell and Paul Nolan made the early running but quickly faded out of contention after the third last.

Winning trainer Maurice Keane said afterwards: "I only have two in training for the summer, I would usually have around half a dozen in the winter.

"She's been placed more times than any horse in the country!

"She deserved to win as she has been so promising but always found one or two too good.

"She loves top of the ground and she will probably go for a handicap hurdle at Tramore next.

"I have her half brother by Indian Danehill who is going to the yearling sales in November."

Donal Murphy