Morning reigns Supreme for Irish pair

Morning Supreme maintained her unbeaten record over jumps with a game all-the-way win in the Dawn Omega Milk EBF Mares Novice Hurdle at Limerick.

Morning Supreme, the 1-2 favourite, dictated things from the front under Ruby Walsh and had all her rivals under pressure as they turned for home with two to jump.

Although she did not take the last two flights well, she had plenty in hand and went on to score by four and a half lengths. Blazing Tempo stayed on to snatch second place from For Bill.

Morning Supreme's success vindicated trainer Willie Mullins' decision to bypass Cheltenham.

In Mullins' absence, his son Patrick said: "Morning Supreme doesn't seem to jump those Easyfix hurdles as well as normal hurdles but she did it very easy today and settled a lot better than usual.

"She'll go Fairyhouse and Punchestown next."

Inistioge was rewarded for her consistency with a gutsy success in the I.T.B.A. EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase.

Garvan Donnelly's seven-year-old made all the running in the hands of Andrew Leigh and her rivals were never allowed to get in a blow.

The 3-1 favourite got in a little close to the last, but still came home a length and three-quarters clear of Cara Mara with Hello Kitty third.

"Inistioge wouldn't want the ground any faster but did it well and is an improving mare," said the County Dublin trainer celebrating his biggest success.

"Today's race was tailor-made for her and we haven't looked beyond it."