Rain comes at the right time for Ramiro

Ramiro enjoyed the bit of cut in the round at Limerick and won the Dooradoyle Handicap at odds of 15/2.

Drawn on the inside, the Born To Sea gelding was always handy and came through to head the front-running Fridtjof Nansen a furlong out.

The 10/3 favourite Wee Pablo soon gave chase but was a head adrift at the line, with Fridtjof Nansen (9/1) another half a length back in third.

Gearoid Brouder, claiming 7lb, was on board the winner who was successful a couple of times on testing ground last season.

Winning trainer Ian O’Connor, based near Listowel racecourse, said: "I was praying for rain all weekend for him. I thought he had a very good run over a furlong shorter at Listowel and he was back to a winning distance today so was I confident as long as the rain came.

"It was touch and go, and he's a nice horse so I'd like to mind him, but the rain came at the right time and it worked out. We'll see what the handicapper does and take it from there."

Winning owner Frank Harty was on hand, with his wife Frances, to enjoy the victory and later said: "My father Henry Harty was manager of the old racecourse in Limerick city for 35 years and our homeplace is across the road at Fort Etna.

"My father was a jockey for a good few years and my grandfather was a trainer.

"We're living in Castlegregory and this is the first horse in my name to win at Limerick."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes