The Big Cloud delights Crawley in Limerick

The Big Cloud got off the mark over flights at the ninth time of asking in race two at Limerick.

The 4/1 shot contested the D & J Glazing Handicap Hurdle over two miles and raced at the forefront with Boston Bongo (12/1).

The latter blundered two out handing the initiative to The Big Cloud who set sail for home under Sean O'Keeffe. To Boston Bongo's credit, he rallied and attempted to reel in the leader on the run-in.

He kept finding, but was half a length in arrears at the winning post. Jay Pee M the 3/1 favourite, was a further length and a-half back in third.

Trainer Shane Crawley said: "She had two good runs and then had a blip after her last run, but her back wasn't right and she was very sore. Lisadell Equine and Kevin McCarthy did a good job with her.

"She jumped brilliantly today and I'm delighted. Sean was very clever and, while the plan was to be handy and to not make the running, they went steady early on so he made it and ended up having first run on them. It made a big difference.

"She is a good genuine mare, but is ground dependent as she is a traditional old National Hunt mare."

The Big Cloud had been placed in Clonmel and Punchestown before finishing unplaced at Naas last month when 10/3 favourite.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes