Little Haarth appreciates step up in trip

Little Haarth (11/4) deservedly got off the mark over flights as he took the opener at Limerick, the Keanes Jewellers Ladies Day 11th October (C & G) Maiden Hurdle, under Paul Townend for Des McDonogh.

Second on four on his five starts over hurdles the son of Alhaarth was stepped up in trip to two and a half miles for the first time today.

Settled in a clear second for most of the contest he closed on the leader from the third last.

He improved to lead before the turn into the straight and was soon strongly pressed by the 6/4 favourite Prickly

The winner found more under pressure than the aforementioned market leader and stretched clear before the last, going on to score by five lengths.

Prickly had to settle for second under Barry Geraghty for Edward O'Grady while Tradewinds (9/4), who attempted to make all, was a further seven lengths back in third under Ruby Walsh for Michael Hourigan.

Des McDonogh said afterwards: "It was a good decision not to go to Ballinrobe now (taken out due to the ground) and being upped in trip suited him.

"He was particularly good from the second last and will go further. He jumps the other(conventional) hurdles better as a good hurdler flicks the top of them - he's a clever horse.

"We'll play it nice and gently and he'll jump a fence in time as he is a well made, strong horse."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes