Merry Westerner powers home

Merry Westerner improved on his third place in Thurles when dominating the two mile two bumper in Limerick.

The five-year-old raced in rear of the pack before making ground with under five furlongs to race. At the three pole he sat fourth before motoring through to second in the home straight.

Niamh Machine was readily reeled in a furlong and a half from home and Mikey Doran could afford a look round inside the final furlong as the pair pulled clear to win by eight-and-a-half-lengths at 9/2. Shrewdoperator kept on to grab second at 13/2 and six lengths further back came Ballyadeen (7/1).

Handler Colm Murphy said: "He seems to be improving the whole time. He wants a trip and he wants soft ground to be at his best.

"He's a helluva big horse and I'm in no panic with him. The further he goes the better he will be."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes