Tropical justifies odds-on favouritism

The Michael Hourigan trained Tropical Three justified odds-on favouritism as she took the opener at Limerick this afternoon, the Follow Us On Twitter Mares Maiden Hurdle.

The well-bred daughter of Portrait Gallery won the valuable ITBA Fillies Scheme Premier Bumper at the Punchestown Festival last month and she then ran well on her third start over hurdles at Killarney last Sunday to finish three lengths third to Kilbarry Beauty.

Sent off at 4/6 she lead turning for home under Adrian Heskin, with Good As Gold and The Housekeeper coming with their challenges on her outside.

Fluent jumps at the last two helped her cause and she shook off the challenge of eventual runner-up Good As Gold (7/1) on the run-in, keeping on best to score by two lengths at the line.

The Housekeeper was a further three and a half lengths back in third for Harry Kelly and Brian O’Connell at 9/2.

Michael Hourigan said afterwards: "She'll get her holidays now and will have a month to five weeks off.

"She’ll come back around Listowel time and she is a nice mare to look forward too. She will stay hurdling this season and I’m not sure yet what other good mares are around to take her on.

"She is out of a half-sister to Tropical Lake and it’s been a lucky pedigree for me."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes