UK Horse Racing Tips: Limerick

Not a strong contest by any means. Liz Doyle's newcomer Samsud, with Sean Flanagan booked, is worth a market check. Automatic showed ability in a couple of hurdle races last year and will hardly have a better chance to shed his maiden tag. He wasn't beaten far into fifth at Clonmel, and was a fair second in handicap company at Cork in October. He has an official rating of 104 and Rachael Blackmore's assistance. He is far from an automatic choice, though, as he hasn't been out since October and his best form came on ground with cut in it. For a selection I'm siding with Edward O'Grady's RUSSIAN DANCER each way. The going should be ideal for him as he showed ability on decent ground in a couple of bumpers for Luke Comer in 2018. He was last seen finishing mid-division in a big field maiden hurdle on testing ground at Clonmel in January. Several winners have come out of that race, including a couple of horses behind him. Gurtnakisteen was keen in a Kilbeggan bumper, but is at least match fit from that appearance at the end of June. He didn't feature in sixth, but has to rate a threat on hurdling bow if settling better.
Prediction : 1st Russian Dancer 2nd Automatic 3rd Samsud

SAY IT AIN'T SO looks a typical improver for Henry de Bromhead. A debut fourth of 16 in a Limerick maiden hurdle was a satisfactory effort. It has since been put in a better light when the horse a couple of places in front of him franked the form in Bellewstown. Haggard Lad is improving with every run and has his chance. He was no match for the odds-on favourite in Bellewstown, but took second and was well clear of the remainder. Hesamanofhisword has been placed in his last five maiden hurdles, so wouldn't be winning out of turn. He wasn't favourite for any of those races, so his consistency should be applauded. His last run gives him a big chance. He was second in a maiden hurdle at Tipperary and the horse a place behind him came out and won a maiden hurdle in Tramore by 10 lengths. The one concern is the ground as he would welcome a good drop of rain. Top Line Tommy has been placed in his last couple of maiden hurdles, but was beaten a fair way in them.
Prediction : 1st Say It Aint So 2nd Haggard Lad 3rd Hesamanofhisword

MYSTERY STOWAWAY can get her turn. Her form is solid after a pair of runner-up finishes in mares' maiden hurdles since racing resumed in June. Perhaps this intermediate trip will help her get her head in front, as the last couple of races have been over further. Gordon Elliott introduces Presenting mare Moonlight Eclipse, who wouldn't need to be out of the ordinary to make a big impact in what appears a weak race. She has to be checked in the market. Similar comments apply to Hill Of Truth who was second in a Galway bumper in October. The market will reveal more about her chance having been off since December.
Prediction : 1st Mystery Stowaway 2nd Moonlight Eclipse 3rd Hill Of Truth

Aine O'Connor is two from four on Demi Plie and has prospects of enhancing that strike-rate. Both of those successes came over fences, and the seven-year-old mare competes off a much lower hurdle rating. She has won off a break before, so has plenty in her favour although it would be fair to say she is better over fences. LORD LARIAT has rocketed up the weights after two handicap hurdle victories within a week. He could still be a step ahead of the assessor, though, as both of those wins have been endorsed by the horses in the placed positions. Claiming 5lb off his back looks a shrewd move. Glendaars Warrior is another on a hat-trick, however, he hasn't been out in over a year and both of those wins came over shorter trips. Internal Transfer is a Limerick specialist with three course victories to his name. He was pulled up when favourite for the Munster National here in October. There is no doubt that a mark of 110 over hurdles looks attractive. He has to be given maximum respect, albeit he hasn't been over the smaller obstacles since November 2018.
Prediction : 1st Lord Lariat 2nd Demi Plie 3rd Glendaars Warrior

OSCAR MONTEL's third in an extended two mile six maiden hurdle at Thurles in February reads well in the context of this race. The winner of that race then finished sixth in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival, while the horse behind Oscar Montel in fourth landed a maiden hurdle in Navan on his next start. The Echo Boy has a mark of 118 which puts him in the mix. He is a double point-to-point winner, so this trip shouldn't pose any problems to him. Full Of Zandre was very weak in the market before his debut at Kilbeggan. He finished fourth there, and may need to find a bit more on this step up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Oscar Montel 2nd The Echo Boy 3rd Full Of Zandre

GUNFIRE REEF was seen to good effect when comfortably winning a staying chase at Tipperary, and appeals switching back to hurdles. He won that handicap chase of 106, so competing off a stone lower over hurdles gives him an obvious chance. He would prefer some rain but has form on good ground in his back history. Moyode Lady is a course and distance winner. She attracted plenty of support on seasonal reappearance at Bellewstown earlier in the month but finished fifth. A good performance wouldn't be surprising. Galaxy Girl isn't without a chance for Gavin Cromwell.
Prediction : 1st Gunfire Reef 2nd Moyode Lady 3rd Galaxy Girl

Veteran The Trigger showed there is plenty of life in his legs when scoring at Kilbeggan on Friday evening. He comes back out under the 5lb penalty, but the six-day turnaround may be the issue for the 11-year-old. He has been a terrific servant this year with form figures from February of 32311 across handicap chases and that handicap hurdle in Kilbeggan. A change of tactics worked a treat with JAMES BORU in Downpatrick, and he has the chance to go in again. Conor Orr rode a patient race on him and the pair came through to win an admittedly weak race by four lengths. Similar tactics could reap another reward. Miss Mcilroy catches the eye on her first start for Charles Byrnes. She won two of her last three starts for Gerry Lynch which brings her into contention, however, she has tended to come on from her first run back. She hasn't been out since September.
Prediction : 1st James Boru 2nd The Trigger 3rd Miss Mcilroy

COEUR AIMANT could be worth siding with on debut. The five-year-old gelding is related to several winners, including Blue Buttons who was a Listed mares' hurdle victor. This isn't a deep race, and Gordon Elliott and Lisa O'Neill are a powerful team. Willie Mullins runs Dysart Diamond who was fourth in Limerick and then third in Punchestown and Thurles. She is the one to beat, but could be vulnerable as she hasn't made an impression at the business end of her races. Erins Benefit would be of interest if the market vibes were positive. Railway Hurricane and Walking The Walk are point-to-point winners that could have a say.
Prediction : 1st Coeur Aimant 2nd Dysart Diamond 3rd Erins Benefit