Townend makes all on Mackey Boy

Mackey Boy benefitted from an enterprising ride by Paul Townend when making all to reward strong support in the Tote Jackpot Maiden Hurdle at Limerick.

The six-year-old grey gelding was sent into a sizeable lead right from the start, although Fear Glic looked a big danger when looming up to challenge early in the straight.

However the company seemed to re-energise the well-backed 2/1 favourite, who was available at 3/1 this morning and 5/2 on track.

Townend's mount threw two fine leaps in the straight and kept on strongly to beat Fear Glic (8/1) by three and a quarter lengths. Bearly Legal (8/1) was another five and a half lengths further back in third.

Winning trainer Paddy Neville said, “He’s a lovely big framed horse but has taken a bit of time to come to himself.

“He ran well here in October but my horses were a bit sick after that. We’ve had a few point-to-point winners, and they seem to be back now. He’ll make a nice chaser.”

Philip Enright was in trouble with the stewards for an injudicious ride aboard Boss Croaker

The Robert Tyner-trained gelding stayed on from off the pace to finish fourth, and Enright was hit with a three day suspension for failing to optain his best possible finishing position. He was also ordered to forfeit his riding fee.

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)