Impulsive Dancer Punchestown-bound after turning over 1-4 stablemate Mercurey

Sunday: Limerick

All eyes were on 1-4 favourite Mercurey in the Listed Kevin McManus Bookmaker Champion Bumper, but it was Impulsive Dancer who had all the right moves and shocked his Willie Mullins-trained stablemate.

Such was the excellent impression Mercurey had created when bolting up in a Gowran bumper on testing ground in January that he started Sunday's assignment as a 12-1 chance for next year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

However, Impulsive Dancer, making his first appearance since winning a bumper for Richard O'Brien on his debut in January, showed the favourite a clean pair of heels to make a dream start for new owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

Mercurey: turned over as 1-4 favourite at Limerick on SundayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Promising newcomer Blizzard Of Oz stayed on past Mercurey in the closing stages, finishing three lengths adrift of the smart winner, who was introduced at 20-1 for next year's Supreme with Paddy Power.

Mullins said of the 100-30 scorer: "He's improving all the time. It wasn't a surprise on his final bits of work at home. He's one to look forward to in terms of mixing it on the Flat and over hurdles.

"He's not overly big but he's strong. Both he and Mercurey won their bumpers on soft ground, but the winner is a more mature Flat type whereas Mercurey is probably an immature jumps horse.

"I'd imagine Impulsive Dancer will go to Punchestown, possibly for the Champion Bumper. I don't know whether I'll run Mercurey again this season."

Exciting Santa delivers

Dermot McLoughlin could be set for a big spring with exciting hurdler Santa Rossa, who overcame a 386-day layoff to justify favouritism in the 2m mares' conditions hurdle in excellent style under Keith Donoghue.

Owned and bred by Tilly and PJ Conway, the Grade 2 bumper winner was making just her seventh start at the age of eight and looks bound for Graded company.

It was plain sailing for Santa Rossa, who scooted clear to score by six and a half lengths before taking plenty of time to pull up on the far side of the track.

Santa Rossa: classy mare set to step up in class after winning return at LimerickCredit: Patrick McCann

"She's a good mare and will improve an awful lot for that," said McLoughlin.

"She got kicked by one of our own horses out in the paddock two weeks before Aintree last year and she cracked a little bone in her joint. We might go for a Grade 2 hurdle at Fairyhouse next."

Ambition future National hope

Jessica Harrington looks to have unearthed a live contender for next month's Punchestown festival in Lifetime Ambition, who posted a smart display to land the Grade 3 BetVictor Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase under Robbie Power.

Assistant trainer Kate Harrington said: "It was his first start over three miles on the track and Robert felt he wanted every bit of it.

"He'll have an entry in the novice handicap chase over two miles and five furlongs at the Punchestown festival, as well as the Grade 1 novice chase over three miles and a furlong.

"Robert said he's a proper Grand National horse in the making for Aintree next year and that he loves nice ground."

Results, replays and analysis

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