Shanpallas reigns supreme at Limerick

Phillip Enright delivered 12/1 shot Shanpallas after the final flight to win going away in the two mile maiden hurdle that opened Limerick’s card. Big Vincey was the very warm 5/4 favourite after making the long trip down from Brian Hamilton’s Co Down yard. This one failed to fire though, as he weakened out of contention heading to the second last. Punters had backed him down from 5/2 this morning.

Davy Russell showed the way on board Conor O’Dwyer’s Volt Sun (9/1), but at the last he was swallowed up by Overcall (12/1) and Shanpallas. The latter fairly powered his way to the line to win by a length.

“We gave him a squeak and the owner (Barry Healy) had a few quid on each way. He’s from Pallaskenry, Co Limerick,” trainer Charles Byrnes said.

Byrnes advised that Solwhit was back home safe after winning the Grade 1 John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree yesterday.

When asked if he would take on Quevega at Punchestown with Solwhit, Byrnes quipped: “Is Quevega going to go with me?”

He added: “Solwhit was in such good form after Cheltenham that we had to go to Aintree. If we think he’s OK he’ll go to Punchestown.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes