Doyle's prayers for rain are answered

Vasoni benefitted from a fine ride by Leigh Roche to take the Tote Jackpot Handicap in good style at Limerick.

Tim Doyle’s charge opened her account in testing conditions at Roscommon, also over seven furlongs, last October, and obviously relished the soft ground here.

Roche settled the 9/2 second favourite on the rail just in behind the leaders, and the 3lb claimer got a dream run up the inside early in the straight.

The Redback mare was driven out inside the final furlong to beat Badger Daly (10/1) by a length and a quarter, with 3/1 favourite another two and three quarter lengths adrift in third.

Winning trainer Tim Doyle said, “I gambled yesterday morning when declaring her as she needed rain to fall! She loves a cut and is consistent and improving.”

Almost an inch of rain has fallen at Greenmount Park since declaration time yesterday when the ground was described as good.

Winning rider Leigh Roche said, "She loved the ground. They went quick enough early on but she travelled well and carried me wherever I wanted to go. She probably got there a bit too soon and idled a bit in front."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes