Sparkle pleases many at Limerick

Fiona Craig of Moyglare Stud Farm recently gave Sparkle Factor as one to follow in a bloodstock jury column in the Racing Post and the three-year-old was a convincing victor of the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden at Limerick.

Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen, runner-up half an hour previous with Bush Pilot gained compensation with the twice previously placed Sparkle Factor (8/11) who headed front-running market-rival Sherama (100/30) over a furlong out before going on to score by two and three parts of a length.

The third-in, Dash (8/1) came home well for the third spot, half a length off Sherama.

Kris Weld reported: "On her two runs as a two-year-old she was entitled to have a leading chance.

"The ground is very holding though. It probably wasn't ideal but she got the job done.

"She'll either go for a winners race or a fillies handicap next." (TW & EM)