BIOLUMINESCENCE got her chasing career off to an impressive start when thrown in the deep end to land the Grade 2 McMahons Builders Providers Irish EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase on day two of the Limerick Christmas Festival.

The daughter of Walk In The Park, runaway winner of a point-to-point at Boulta and successful in a Grade 3 over hurdles here last spring, was sent off the 4/5 favourite for this extended two-mile, six-furlong event and asserted after two out to beat Paggane by three lengths.

“Her jumping is just unbelievable. She’s a big mare but has a huge jump to match. I’d say a trip and soft jump will suit her,” said winning rider Derek O’Connor.

“She was flawless in her point-to-point and thankfully Mr McManus bought her. Gavin (Cromwell) has handled her exceptionally well as it’s a fair step into a Grade 2 first run and she’s done very well.

“She is a ferocious galloper, and I think it will always be a case of going out in trip with her. The more of a test the better she will be.”

McManus and Motherway double up

J.P. McManus’ colours were also carried to victory in the opening Earl Of Harrington Mares Maiden Hurdle where Uhavemeinstitches (7/2) travelled well to lead two out and, despite running a bit green in front, kept on well on the run-in under Simon Torrens to beat Workinonadream by a length and a half.

Winning trainer James Motherway said: “She’s a lovely filly and we’ve always liked her since day one. She was jumping so well she was even jumping into the back of a few of them. She was only a frame when she ran here in the spring and has really filled out over the summer in Martinstown.”

The Cloyne trainer also saddled her dam Bluesea Cracker to win the Irish Grand National back in 2010 and added: “With her pedigree you would say stamina is going to be her forte down the line.

“Bluesea Cracker is still with us and is in the stable just across the yard from this filly. She is rising 24 and is still fit and healthy. It’s great to see her daughter coming through now.”

MEET And Greet showed the benefit of an outing at Punchestown earlier this month when returning to form with some style in the Goggin Buckley Hurdle.

The Oliver McKiernan-trained gelding missed all of last season, but connections patience paid dividends as the 9/1 shot made good headway to challenge early in the straight and kept on well on the run-in for Phillip Enright to beat Jigoro by four and a quarter lengths.

McKiernan said, “I came here thinking he’d need another run, but Phillip gave him a great ride and hopefully he stays sound. He’s a gent of a horse and we love him.”

Reverting to hurdles

The Maurice Kelleher-owned Big Debates recorded a sixth career win and third at this venue with a facile victory in the Tim & Martin Molony Veterans Handicap Chase, taking command soon after the penultimate fence in the hands of James Smith to beat Donkey Years by 16 lengths.

“He ran a peculiar race in the Cork National the last day. They must have gone a steady gallop as he got caught for toe turning in and then sprinted after the last. It was nice and smooth today and he jumped lovely,” said trainer Robert Tyner of the 7/2 chance.

“His chase mark will be a bit high after this and we might go for a three-mile handicap hurdle the next day.”

Winning return for Apologise

THE Oakleaf Lads Syndicate were out in force to greet 12/1 winner Apologise who overcame a lengthy absence to score for the Derry father and son team of Gary and Dara McGill in the Roche’s Feeds Handicap Hurdle.

The son of Fascinating Rock was last seen winning at Huntingdon for Ollie Greenall just over a year ago before changing hands for just £1,000 and showed a good attitude to get the better of Snow Punt on the run-in by half a length.

“His jumping wouldn’t be the greatest, but I always felt like I was going to get there,” said 7lb claiming amateur Dara McGill. “He’s had his problems but thankfully we’ve got them worked out for today and he should come on from the run.”

Strutter, trained by Willie Mullins for John Neocleous, justified 2/1 favouritism in the Grant Thornton Ladies Handicap Hurdle. The five-year-old gelding got off to a winning start for the Closutton team when patiently ridden by Jody Townend and drawing clear on the run-in to beat Storm Mahler by six and a half lengths.

“He settled better than I thought he was going to on the way to the start. I dropped him out and he was unbelievable to jump. They went plenty hard, I was always happy and he galloped to the line,” said Townend.

Liberated Light was another double-figure priced winner of the concluding Whitebox Property Group Handicap Hurdle, adding to a flat maiden win at Killarney last year.

The 11/1 shot, owned by Claire Gleeson and ridden by her son John, led approaching the second last and kept on well on the run-in to hold off the challenge of Wardens Whisper by half a length. “It’s taken him a while to win over hurdles but the cheekpieces helped and he’s put it all together today,” said the winning rider.