Racing: Mossbank ran out a smooth winner of the Ladbrokes.com Munster National Handicap Chase at Limerick this afternoon.
The 8-1 shot, trained by Michael Hourigan and ridden by Andrew McNamara, survived a mistake at the second-last fence having just taken the lead.
Mossbank travelled strongly turning for home and took over from the pacemaking Ballyagran before comfortably holding Whataboutya by two and a half lengths. Darby Wall was third and Ponmeoath fourth.
Hourigan said: "He's probably a better horse when he's that bit fresh. It is the fourth time he's won on his first run of the season. He's done it in a point-to-point, then a hurdle race, and a novice chase last season.
"I couldn't believe how well he was going three out. He jumped great apart from the second-last and Andrew gave him a great ride.
"I've always thought highly of this horse and now he's fulfilled some of that. He's been working like a real horse at home and work rider Kevin Power said to me on Friday that the horse was on fire."
Hourigan, who was winning this race for the first time at his local track, intends to pick his races with the seven-year-old and has one eye on the Irish Grand National in the spring.