Maree's Munster National

National joy for Hughes at Limerick

Last updated: 14th October 2012  

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Dessie Hughes

Dessie Hughes: Trains Raz De Maree

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Raz De Maree claimed top honours in the Ladbrokes Munster National for trainer Dessie Hughes and jockey Bryan Cooper.

Although there were a few casualties on the way round the three-mile test, there were still four horses in a line jumping the second-last fence in the home straight.

Raz De Maree had been towards the rear of the field before creeping his way through the field and began to assert soon after the penultimate obstacle.

The final fence was safely negotiated and the seven year old ran on strongly to seal a six-and-a-half-length victory on just his fifth start over the larger obstacles.

The front-running Quietly Fancied rallied to deny joint-favourite Questions Answered the runner-up spot.

Hughes said: "That's my first time winning the race and it was my birthday during the week. We were hoping there would be a good three-mile chase in him as he stays so well.

"He's small, but he's a natural jumper. He got beaten in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan under a big weight and 10st 4lb suited him better.

"He ran ordinary in Galway on heavy ground. He couldn't go on it. He wouldn't have wanted the ground any worse. The Troytown is a possibility."

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