Run For Oscar shocks to take Grade Three Grimes Hurdle at Limerick

Without a win since August 2024 and having his first run since last October, 'Oscar' landed the Grade Three feature in typically gutsy fashion with Danny Mullins on board

Run For Oscar and Danny Mullins (right) win Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle from Daddy Long Legs (left). Pic: Healy Racing

Danny Mullins, adopting typically enterprising tactics, delivered a 34/1 double for Charles Byrnes, highlighted by the shock success of veteran Run For Oscar (18/1) in the Grade Three Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle on a card relocated to Limerick due to the redevelopment of the track in Tipperary.

Mullins followed a wide course, on unwatered ground, with spectacular results, on even-money favourite Eastmore, who bolted-up by no less than 15 lengths in the Cappawhite Civil Engineering Handicap Hurdle, the first winner he has ridden for Byrnes, who subsequently explained:  “Danny had walked the course and asked for permission to ride him out wide." 

He quipped: “I think he should get the penalty, not the horse. The outside is an awful advantage out there.” 

But the main plaudits went to eleven-year-old Run For Oscar, winner of the 2022 English Cesarewitch, without a win since August 2024 and having his first run since last October, who landed the Grade Three feature in typically gutsy fashion.

Mullins followed a wide course again, pressing leader King Of Kingsfield before edging ahead on the home turn.

Tackled by 8-13 favourite Daddy Long Legs, Run For Oscar found plenty on the run-in and edged away two score by two lengths, with Queenofthelodge earning valuable black-type in third place for Sam Curling, on the mark later with Sallap.

“I knew he was fit and working well at home, so I was confident of a big run. We’re definitely on bonus territory with him at this stage and I have no idea where he’ll go.

“He’s high enough on the flat, although the English Cesarewitch might be an option again.”

Notahairoutofplace and Calum Hogan part ways at the second hurdle in the Cappawhite Civil Engineering 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle with winner Minella Rockett and Dan King (left). Pic: Healy Racing

Earlier, John Nallen, who won the opening juvenile hurdle of the season last year with Minella Study, did the business again as slick-jumping 11/10 favourite Minella Rockett, rated 80 on the flat, landed the Cappawhite Civil Engineering 3-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle.

“He’s not big in stature, but has a big heart,” stated Nallen. “He’s a fair horse on the flat and has been schooling with the point-to-pointers. He’ll go back to the flat – we’ll wait for Seamie (Heffernan, who is facing a long suspension).” 

Minella Rockett was ridden by Dan King, who completed a double on the Cian Hughes-trained Knocknagoran Lady in a division of the 0-100 handicap hurdle.

And Henry de Bromhead took the INPBA-sponsored bumper with newcomer Frisco Lad, who made all under John Gleeson.

Meanwhile, on the opening day of Bellewstown’s July meeting, Dream Legend, a course and distance winner in April, proved a popular, locally-trained winner of the Champion Lettings Handicap, bolting-up by five and a half lengths under Leigh Roche.

Alan Delany, vice-chairman of Bellewstown and assistant to his trainer/father Eamon, admitted: “He was a big price when he won in April and ran even better in Gowran. We gave him a break, with this race in mind, and he has filled out and improved a lot.

“He carries the boss’s colours, the oldest active colours in the Turf Club and I love having winners here – this is my Cheltenham.

“He’s very fresh today and will come on for the run. I’d like to bring him back here in August.” 

Jockey Ben Coen registered his sixth win in three days when Johnny Murtagh’s Celtic Moon, fourth on debut at Leopardstown, put her experience to good use in the opening two-year-old fillies maiden, beating slow-starter Cashel Queen and well-backed debutante Party In Vegas.

In the other two-year-old action, Grayrobin, back with Katie McGivern after a run for Archie Watson in Nottingham, showed plenty of gears under Chris Hayes before holding debutante Annie Batt in the auction series maiden.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained 4-6 favourite Lark In The Mornin (Patrick Mullins) repeated last year’s win in the Seamus Mulvaney Crockafotha Amateur Race, holding the late flourish of Can Happen by a half-length. The Galway Hurdle looks a possible target for the winner.

And, described by her rider Colin Keane as “a quick filly”, the Pat Magee-trained Rosie Frith captured the five-furlong Indaver Handicap, denying the Murtagh-Coen combination a double with favourite Naamid.