Storm Rising leads Zaofu (inside) over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Denis Hogan recorded his third success of the weekend, as his Storm Rising (in first time cheekpieces) took the opener at Limerick, the Limerick Racecourse Family Fun Day Maiden Hurdle.
Second on his last three starts, the son of Canford Cliffs was sent off the 6/5 favourite this afternoon, with Hogan himself in the saddle.
Prominent throughout, the Kevin McConnell owned victor held a definite advantage before the second last, and he was ridden out on the run-in to hold off the challenge of Zaofu by half a length.
The runner-up was returned at 6/1 (from 8s) under Donagh Meyler for Eoin Doyle, while Reaver (10/1) was another length and three parts back in third.
Hogan, who saddled a double at Bellewstown yesterday evening, said afterwards: "He deserved it as he had been knocking on the door all year and had been consistent but always ran into one.
"He picked up for me today and I'd say the cheekpieces helped him today as he used to be free but was now a little lairy in the closing stages. He was gutsy and I wouldn’t think the handicapper can move him too much.
"There's a two mile race on the Friday at Galway for him next and it's good for Kevin (McConnell) and his wife Bernie who came down from Tyrone to watch him; they were in Portlaoise to see the footballers win last night and came on here today so they're on the double as well."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
