Native Gold shines in Limerick© Photo Healy Racing
Native Gold built upon the promise of a runner-up berth in Navan to win decisively in Limerick.
Phillip Enright booted home a Limerick double on this 7/2 favourite as he was also on board Angels Dawn 35 minutes earlier in the three mile maiden hurdle.
Native Gold, the 7/2 favourite, was always in the front rank in this first split of the Croom Handicap Hurdle over 2m6f.
He was challenged by Vermilion Cliffs and Bugscuffle as they raced to the second last. Enright pushed him along towards that flight and nimble jump saw him go on from a hard-at-work Vermilion Cliffs.
Another slick jump at the last saw the leader move clear and he stayed on stoutly to prevail by four lengths. Both Stolen Moment (11/2) and Getaway Abbey (50/1) put in good late work for second and third respectively. Vermilion Cliffs dropped to fourth at 25/1.
"He surprised us how well he ran the last day - he hadn't run for a year and we were saying he was a very slow horse and would he every win one." said trainer Eddie Cawley.
"He is so slow and Philip said he was nearly pulling up in front but when the horses came around him, he picked it up again and went on. He is just an idle boy.
"We had a few problems with him over the years and when I had him handicapped, he must have entered him up 20 times but was balloted and balloted and balloted.
"Anyway he has got his day, but it could be his Gold Cup!"
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
