Lord Adare much too good in the bumper

Charles Byrnes unleashed a useful newcomer in Limerick’s bumper as Lord Adare travelled strongly and won snugly under Barry O’Neill.

The 13/2 shot cut through the field to challenge for the lead with a quarter of a mile to race. He led inside the furlong pole and O’Neill only needed hands and heels late on to ensure a length and a quarter decision. Golan Dancer tried to fight back on the inside of Lord Adare inside the last half furlong, but he was booked for second place at 20/1.

There was a gap of seven lengths back to the 15/8 favourite, Ballagh who kept on for pressure without looking like closing the gap to the leaders.

“He’s a lovely horse and travelled fierce well. I was almost afraid he was travelling too well on that ground. He’s a smashing horse with a very good engine and I think he might be a nicer horse on better ground,” Barry O’Neill said.

Lord Adare gave Charles Byrnes an across-the-card double as Sea Light justified favouritism in the second race in Leopardstown.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes