Lounaos back in business with Limerick win

Lounaos defied the lack of a recent run to win the Tom Hogan Lexus Hurdle at Limerick for trainer Eoin Griffin.

The four-year-old filly, who was sent off as favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, was given a confident ride by Barry Geraghty.

He tracked Quintana into the straight before asking his mount to quicken up over the second-last.

She pulled clear but to the runner-up’s credit Quintana battled back and was only one and a half lengths behind the 9-10 favourite at the line.

“The ground was heavier than I would have liked,” said Griffin.

“She’ll come on a lot for that run, Barry said she travelled and jumped well but got very tired after the last and she had a good blow afterwards.

“She was just worn out at the end of last season, but she had a good break and has come back nice and fresh.

“She’ll be entered for the AIG now and her long-term target could be the new two-and-a-half-mile mares’ race at the Cheltenham Festival.”