Three-in-a-row for Limestone Lad

Limestone Lad recorded a third successive victory in the Ballymore Properties Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse today when making all the running to trounce a small but select field.

Barry Geraghty set only a steady pace on James Bowe’s prolific winner in the early stages of the two and a half mile contest, which was run on very testing ground.

Scottish Memories was settled in second place with Norman Williamson holding the highly-rated Ned Kelly up in third but approaching three out Geraghty set sail for home on Limestone Lad and quickly had his four rivals in trouble.

Ned Kelly was soon struggling and it was left to Scottish Memories to mount a challenge but Limestone Lad brushed him aside on the run to the final flight where a good leap clinched a 33rd career victory for the amazing 10-year-old.

Limestone Lad, 8-15, came home eight lengths clear of Scottish Memories with Ned Kelly a disappointing third a distance away.

John Bowe, son of the owner-trainer, said: “He’ll now go to Navan for a race on December 15 and then the Woodies Hurdle (at Leopardstown) over Christmas.”

Limestone Lad’s long-term target remains the Bonusprint Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Bowe added: “We think he’s as good as ever and if we get a bit of cut in the ground at Cheltenham I think we’ll put it up to Baracouda a bit.