Sumos Novios now a Grade Three winner

Sumos Novios put in a strong staying performance to take Grade Three honours in the Imperial Call Chase at Limerick for father and son Liam and Jonathan Burke.

The 10-year-old gelding chased Val De Ferbet throughout before making headway to lead at the third last.

He looked vulnerable to 8/13 favourite Mala Beach who was niggled along by Denis O'Regan to try and close.

Sumos Novios was still full of running as he approached the last three lengths to the good and he powered home for jockey Jonathan Burke.

The 3/1 shot beat Mala Beach into second by two and a quarter lengths.

Liam Burke said: "He is settling and did everything right today. I could never before in his life run him like that, so quick (from his previous run) and it is only now that he is 10 years of age that he is taking his training properly.

"He found plenty today when he asked him and for a big horse he is agile enough over his fences. I'll run him in Punchestown if the weather lasts but it needs to be safe for him to run.

"He's after winning a Graded race now and it's great to get one like that. It's a great win for Jonathan too as he needed to get on a good one and it'll give him more confidence."

Sumos Novios arrived on the back of a victory in a veterans' handicap chase at Wexford on St Patrick's Day.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes