Review limerick 13th Mar

Paul Nolan enjoyed a red-letter day at Limerick with a hat-trick including victory in the day's two feature races in partnership with claiming rider Michael Doran.

Leopardstown handicap winner Golden Sunbird took the step up in class to the Listed Kerry Group EBF Mares Novice Hurdle in her stride to land a convincing victory.

Doran, who was unable to exercise his claim in either race, sat in second spot for much of the way as the odds-on Dare To Doubt took them along, and the pair had it between them turning in.

Nolan's charge (8-1) held the advantage two out and stretched clear to win by 18 lengths, with Definite Class snatching second close home.

Trainer and jockey made it a double, as did owner Jim Mernagh, when Aura About You proved strongest in the ITBA Fillies Scheme EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase.< Gentle Alice led for most of the way and had the odds-on For Bill and Aura About You for company on the turn for home, and when Doran stoked up the 6-1 shot she stayed on best to pull clear of the favourite by three lengths.

Nolan's treble was completed when Politeo (5-4 favourite) led two out in the Mullins Electrical Beginners Chase and cleared away to score by an easy nine lengths under Davy Russell.< Vics Canvas was sent off the 9-10 favourite for the Friends Of Liam Hogan Maiden Hurdle, but Dermot McLoughlin's charge gave his supporters a real scare.

Conor Maxwell was looking for room behind a wall of horses turning in and still had plenty to do clearing the last, but the eight-year-old found a turn of foot on the run-in to win by three-quarters of a length.

Cecil Ross produced Our Eric (25-1) fit and well from an eight-month lay-off to run away with the Ballynoe Stables Pre Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle under Barry Cash, winning by seven lengths after taking it up two out.