Local trainer Austin Leahy returned to the winners' enclosure at his home track after Linger For Longer kept on strongly to take the opening Tote, Never Beaten By SP Rated Race at Limerick.

A winner at Tipperary on her most recent outing, the daughter of Fulbright was following up, with jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle once again in the saddle.

Having made most when successful on her most recent run, the five-year-old sat in the box seat here as The Poacher Daly led Genesis in the early stages.

Moving closer early in the straight, McMonagle brought the eventual winner through to lead over a furlong out. Strongly challenged by Imperial Dream inside the final furlong, Linger For Longer held both that one and the fast finishing Volatile Analyst

Winning trainer Austin Leahy said: “She’s improving. He was able to get a lead from the two in front which probably made the difference as in the past we were letting her off a bit.

"Six or seven is her trip and maybe a bit easier ground. I had notions of taking her out this morning, but the ground just changed in time.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.