HE mightn’t have come up to scratch on his Irish debut at Galway but two months later Gordon Elliott’s Grand Roi looked a more polished, professional and better sort in the Grade 2 Grant Thornton Hurdle.

A big money purchase from the Million In Mind Partnership at Doncaster in July, Grand Roi didn’t jump that well on his first start for Elliott but that came in a smart race where Beacon Edge and Minella Melody filled the first two placings. The benefit of time and a switch to four-year-old-only company enabled the son of Spanish Moon to take a step forward and this still unexposed type looks an interesting prospect for the second half of the season.

Denis O’Regan set off in front aboard the winner who jumped much better than he did at Galway and from before two out Gand Roi always seemed to have the measure of the chasing Indiana Jones. The Noel and Valerie Moran-owned gelding finished out his race in good style to defeat Wolf Prince by eight lengths.

“He is a nice horse and he learned plenty from his run at Galway and we’ve learned plenty about him since then,” commented Elliott. “He jumped really well today which was nice to see and he handled that ground well. I think he’s a horse with a lovely future and something like the Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas could suit him well next and then we’ll see where we are.”

Joseph O’Brien’s Scarlet And Dove made it third time lucky over fences with a very taking display in the Limerick Racecourse Vets Mares Beginners Chase over just short of two and a half miles.

A useful type in bumpers and over hurdles, this Gigginstown House Stud-owned daughter of Jeremy came here off a very pleasing second to Mount Ida in a Grade 3 at Cork last month and she confirmed that promise to account for fellow 13/8 joint favourite Larquebuse.

Donagh Meyler’s mount made the running and jumped very nicely over the course of the second circuit and she looked to have the measure of the other market leader from before the turn in. Scarlet And Dove duly produced good jumps at the last two fences to make sure of victory and she was a smooth eight-and-a-half-length winner at the line.

After bagging a memorable Savills Chase triumph with A Plus Tard, Henry de Bromhead added to his festive haul when Low Lie The Fields (9/2) and Hugh Morgan picked up the 80-102 rated handicap hurdle.

This lightly raced Gold Well six-year-old progressed on respectable handicap runs at Fairyhouse and Limerick to come home three and three-quarter lengths ahead of Shar Whats Therush. The winner carries the colours of the Lonely Fields Syndicate.

THE card began with a great finish to the BRC McMahon Rated Novice Hurdle where No Grey Area’s and amateur rider Pa King followed up their victory at Clonmel in early December.

Baltimore Bucko, part of a team of horses sent to Ireland to represent American trainer Jonathan Sheppard, held every chance coming to the last but he landed a little steeply which saw him come off worst in the three-way finish.

Meanwhile, the Martin Hassett-trained winner was given a cool and patient ride by King who stole through on the inner to deliver his challenge before the last and a bold jump there enabled the 7/4 shot to edge out fellow joint favourite, Blanketontheground, by a length and a quarter. Hassett trains this capable five-year-old for his wife Deirdre.

A memorable Christmas for Gavin Cromwell and Jonathan Moore yielded further cheer as Shes Some Doll (7/1) came good in the Ryans Event Cleaning Specialists Maiden Hurdle.

In a race confined to horses who had never been placed, this Ever Optimistic Syndicate-owned daughter of Yeats had shown promise in her eight previous starts but this was a career best from her. She responded well to Moore’s promptings to get the better of the favourite Boom Town Girl nearing the last flight and went on to score by two and three-quarter lengths.