Springfield Lodge grabs her first hurdle victory

Springfield Lodge availed of a much lower rating over flights in relation to her chasing mark to oblige in division one of the two mile handicap hurdle at Limerick.

She was on a mark of 81, a stone lower than her chase rating, and was up in the van the whole way under Jordan Gainford.

The nine-year-old was one of three horses with clear chances at the final flight - in the middle between Shean Glory on the far side and Lesssaidthebetter on the stands' side.

Shean Glory was a very narrow leader in jumping but Springfield Lodge came home best in the final 100 yards to prevail by a length at 13/2. Shean Glory finished second at 9/1 and was a length and three parts in front of Lesssaidthebetter (15/2).

Trainer Eoghan O'Grady said: "On her her chase form she had a reasonable mark and Jordan was a great help.

"She'll go for something similar next over hurdles and then there's a mares' handicap chase at Navan at the start of next month for her."

This was her first victory over hurdles to go with a pair of handicap chases and a point-to-point.

Gainford rode out his 3lb claim with this success.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes