“He’s a good horse,” said Donovan. “It just took him a while to get the hang of it. Early on he was gassy, and his jumping wasn’t brilliant, but it’s come together now. I fancied him big time … I thought it was a matter of keeping it simple. I knew there wouldn’t be anything good enough to take me along, so I thought the easiest thing to do was to take myself along. I think he’ll be okay in a better grade of race, where they go a good gallop.” 

Referring to a back injury that sidelined him, Donovan added: “I’ve only been back a fortnight and that’s my second winner, so it’s great to hit the ground running.” 

Jake Coen recently began the process of switching codes from the Flat to National Hunt and that decision reaped its first dividend when he rode the Denise Foster-trained Petit Dejeuner to victory in the Limerick Races On Facebook Handicap Hurdle. Coen, who still rides on the level, looked like an old hand as he delivered the 20-1 chance between the last two hurdles.

“Unbelievable, a great thrill,” said Coen, for whom it was just a 13th ride over jumps. “I have 45 winners on the Flat, so it’s nice to get one over the sticks.

“She was foot-perfect everywhere, and I can’t thank Denise and the owners enough for letting me ride her. She jumped like a buck and quickened up well up the straight.

“I can’t thank Gordon enough either,” he said, referring to the fact he has been working in Gordon Elliott’s yard for the past few months. 

“Since I started, I’ve been schooling horses there day-in, day-out, and the lads in the yard have been great. They’ve taught me everything. I was incredibly green over hurdles when I first started, and I still am, but those guys, anything I ask them, they’re so helpful to me.” 

The opening race, the DMC Atlantic Maiden Hurdle, was an eventful one on the betting front with overnight and morning gambles and afternoon drifts aplenty, and it was the late move for Quest With Speed (18-1 to 10-1) which proved most inspired as he landed the spoils for Shark Hanlon and Shane Fenelon. Returning from a 295-day lay-off, he took over going to the second-last and stretched away from Glen Kiln, the pair a proverbial mile clear.

The Pat Fahy-trained Champagne Admiral completed a 3-2-1 sequence when taking the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle. Richie Condon made an early move to take control of the race and also ensured there was plenty under the bonnet to repel the numerous challenges he faced in the straight.

Splashing Out ran out the easiest of winners in the Panoramic Restaurant @ Limerick Races Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. Eoin Griffin’s mare, ridden by Peter Smithers, was having her first run since July but she travelled like a dream and duly quickened up at the end of the race to put a first winning mark on her card.

The Shane Nolan-trained Cosmo Renfro attracted plenty of support prior to the Follow Us On Twitter @ Limerick Races Opportunity Handicap Hurdle and justified it in good style. Meehall led early and made a bold bid from the front, but Kieren Buckley timed his challenge perfectly aboard Cosmo Renfro and was quite well on top close home.

Maxine O’Sullivan gave Ma Belle Etoile a confident ride to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ Bumper for trainers John and Thomas Kiely. All of O’Sullivan’s experience and class were on show as she let the race develop in front of her before easing her mount through in the closing stages to win with a considerable amount in hand.