Absolute Grit lived up to his name with a battling performance in the opener at Limerick this evening.

Harry Kelly's charge was an easy to back 14/1 shot for the two-and-a-half mile contest but jumped into the lead five from home.

Mischievous Max threw down a strong challenge two out and the pair were locked together over the last, where both made slight mistakes.

Absolute Grit came away from the flight with a narrow lead and responded well for Eamonn Corbett in the closing stages to maintain that advantage, eventually recording a neck success. Iolani sent off the 9/10 favourite, couldn't quicken from the second last but kept on on the run-in to finish two-and-a-half lengths back in third.

The winner had been beaten over 23 lengths when third on his last outing at the course 18 days ago.

"He'll be an improving horse and is still weak and will be a lot stronger next year. The step up in trip helped, he is a big horse and is a big baby,” said Kelly.

"His owner/breeder Sean Beston is a good man and works on the oil rigs in Cork - that's why he isn't here today and I can't even get him on the phone!

"He was tough and hardy and Jimmy (Kelly, brother) put a lot of work into him and it was also great for Eamonn as he works great for us."

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)