Romeo Magico opens up route to big festivals

Romeo Magico stayed on to winning effect in the Earl Of Harrington Memorial Maiden Hunters Chase at Limerick.

A good jump at the final fence in this extended 2m6f assignment saw him close on Casey West and he was driven up on the inner by Dara McGill to pass that rival in the closing stages.

The 5/2 favourite hit the line half a length up on Casey West (6/1). Boss Robin (66/1) finished nine-and-a-half-lengths adrift in third.

This was Romeo Magico's first run since coming home second in a point-to-point at Inchydoney in May.

Emmet Mullins and Dara McGill both had winners in Down Royal yesterday and teamed up with this five-year-old gelding in the first-time tongue-strap.

The trainer said: "He is a nice horse who had been going well at home. The big worry was the ground, I'd say we got away with it and he is a nice horse for the spring.

"I was surprised to see how the two horses (the winner and runner-up) picked up from the back of the last as you won't see many horses quickening on this ground.

"He is a brilliant jumper, we'll map our way to the spring festivals at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown and should improve for nicer ground."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes