Third Dimension and Colin Keane in front in Limerick© Photo Healy Racing
The money came for Third Dimension this morning and the money was on the mark as the Ger Lyons-trained horse made all to land the opening three-year-old colts and geldings maiden over an extended mile in Limerick.
The 7/1 available early doors was quickly snapped up as he was returned at 9/2 on course. Colin Keane was on board and he popped his charge out smartly from gate 4 into an early lead.
Swinging into the straight the other jockeys started to ask their mounts for more but at the two furlong pole Third Dimension increased his lead and galloped resolutely to the line for a three-lengths success.
Ger Lyons said: “There’s the bonus thank God! (Racing Post bonus). Last year Sheikh Fahad asked me what was my best two-year-old and I said this fellow by a long way. I have never seen him come off the bridle at home until he comes racing.
“I gelded him at the end of last year and we tried a change of jockey today. No disrespect to Gary Carroll – a change is as good as a rest.
“He has to work his way to get into races like the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot. H’s a big heavy horse and he hates soft ground. You want to see him work on the gallops at home.”
The 11/8 favourite Table Rock (who drifted from 10/11 in early trading) never headed Third Dimension and had to settle for second for Aidan and Joseph O’Brien.
This was Third Dimension's fourth career run. He was fifth to Free Eagle in a Leopardstown maiden on debut. His last run saw him finish third in a Curragh handicap in March.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes