Donoghue bags first Grade 1 in dramatic Limerick feature

Keith Donoghue gained his first career Grade 1 success at Limerick today as the jockey landed the track's own first Grade 1 race, the top level and, in the end, dramatic Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Chase on the Gordon Elliott trained, Gigginstown House Stud owned Hardline Getabird was keen and made the running under Ruby Walsh as Hardline gave chase in the leading group. Hardline went in pursuit of Getabird early in the home straight and while he got to within a few lengths of Getabird approaching the last, Getabird appeared to have his measure at the point.

However Getabird met the last on a wrong stride, got in very tight and blundered away his chance allowing Hardline a chance which Donoghue took and kept the six year old gelding going for a half-length win.

Afterwards Donoghue, who won last March's Cheltenham Cross-Country Chase on subsequent Grand National winner Tiger Roll, said “it is a great feeling. I have missed a couple of Grade 1s through weight and getting taken off ones and with injury so it's great to get that first one.

“I knew I was going well but you never know with Ruby what he is holding on to but I got a good jump at the second last and I squeezed him down to the last and knew if I got a good jump here I have every chance. Ruby missed it a little but he had plenty of time to come back at me and I was always holding him.

“We knew he'd stay and he travelled and jumped everywhere and galloped all the way to the line.

“Only for Gordon I wouldn't be in this position and obviously thanks to Gigginstown also for putting me up.”