Castle Guest, left, falls as My Manekineko, in third, follows Trainstation over the last© Photo Healy Racing
David Mullins rode a patient race aboard My Manekineko and it paid off in the two mile maiden hurdle at Limerick as the pair got up to win by half a length.
The 7/2 shot raced in mid-division before improving to seventh with half a mile to race. On the approach to the second-last, the six-year-old gelding travelled powerfully into fourth. He was just a length off the leader Castle Guest and was almost on terms with New Kid In Town and Trainstation
At the last flight, Castle Guest was joined by Trainstation with My Manekineko poised to challenge in behind. Castle Guest took a crashing fall which left Trainstation in the lead. However, Mullins cajoled more from My Manekineko and he stayed on strongly along the far rail to get up close home.
"He had a very good first run and I thought he was certain to go back and win a race on the Flat. He's been very disappointing on the Flat and hopefully will make a better hurdler," trainer James Nash said.
"He got a very good ride from David, he filled him full of confidence.
"He goes on most ground and the bit of easy ground there brought about improvement while jumping has also changed his mind.
"At some stage we might go back on the Flat and see if we can win one."
Trainstation (16/1) had to be content with the runner-up prize. Josh's Chance at 20/1 kept on for third. He was beaten three lengths by the winner.
New Kid In Town, the 6/4 favourite, weakened after the second last and came in fifth.
My Manekineko was second over course and distance in March. He was backed from 5/1 to 3/1 this morning.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
