Ontheropes comes out fighting in Munster National at Limerick

Ontheropes, with Sean O’Keeffe up, jumps the last on their way to winning the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National Handicap Chase at Limerick Racecourse in Patrickswell. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Willie Mullins saddled the winner of the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National for the third time in five years when Ontheropes landed the feature event on Sunday’s card in Limerick under a fine ride by Wexford jockey Sean O’Keeffe.

The Cheveley Park-owned seven-year-old clearly hasn’t been the easiest to train but during his short career to date there have been numerous hints that he might be considerably above average. However, this was his first run in more than 300 days, and it was a good test of his trainer’s ability to have him cherry ripe in such a competitive event.