Sky's The Limit claims second Grade One win of season

Sky's The Limit landed his second Grade One novice chase of the season after battling grimly to a game success in the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase.

The six-year-old, who already has a win at the Cheltenham Festival to his name in the Coral Cup, failed to win over fences last season, meaning he has quite an advantage in experience over most of his rivals this term.

Only four went to post for the two-mile contest and Edward O’Grady’s charge appeared to have been handed the race on a plate by his main market challenger Perce Rock, who fell three out when still travelling well.

But Sky’s The Limit, the 5-4 favourite, got in close to the last, giving Arthur Moore’s Lenrey the chance to rally and there was only a head between the two at the line.

“He did that well for a horse who wants further and I thought it was a brave performance,” said O’Grady.

“We will probably come back here for Dr PJ Moriarty over two miles and five furlongs (February 10).

“I think he confirmed what we thought – that two miles is too short for him but I don’t want to go to three miles just yet.

“So the PJ Moriarty and Powers Gold Cup (March 23 at Fairyhouse) looks a reasonable programme.”

When asked if that meant the Cheltenham Festival and the Ryanair Chase was out of the equation, O’Grady replied: “He can go for Ryanair at anytime.”