UK Horse Racing Tips: Limerick

LUDUS showed more when fifth on his second start over hurdles in Cork. He won over an extended 1m6f on the Flat in Britain and should have a future over flights. His trainer, Gordon Elliott, won this race last year. Realism was behind Ludus in ninth in that aforementioned race, but is a potential improver. He was only 4/1 for that hurdling debut and was third in a Group 3 on the Flat. There are a couple of horses switching to hurdling after winning on the Flat in Britain - Byker and Kanzino - and both should be given a market check. The former's comprehensive victory at Windsor in October has been franked by the runner-up.
Prediction : 1st Ludus 2nd Realism 3rd Byker

FOXY GIRL makes plenty of appeal. Her runner-up spot in a Listed fillies' hurdle race in her native France has been endorsed by the winner. Furthermore, her second place on Irish debut in Thurles at the start of the month can be marked up as the winner delivered again at the same track. He's Ultimate was the subject of positive comments from Gordon Elliott in a stable tour. He makes his track debut after finishing runner-up in a point-to-point. Royal Moon ran well in third at Clonmel and can build upon that. Benaud was more than decent on the Flat and there is still time for him to put it all together over hurdles. First-reserve In Excess would be a strong contender if getting a run. Willie Mullins' French import was second in a conditions' race on the Flat at Moulins on his sole start.
Prediction : 1st Foxy Girl 2nd Hes Ultimate 3rd Royal Moon

PINKERTON brings strong recent form to the contest after a runner-up berth over the minimum trip in a Grade A handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse this month. He ought to relish this longer distance. The Ocovango gelding gets a first-time tongue-strap. Longhouse Poet is comfortably the highest rated in the field. He was sixth in the Grand National at Aintree in April. The eight-year-old gelding reappeared over hurdles in Punchestown last month, but was pulled up. He has been extensively campaigned over fences, so doesn't come without risks albeit he could make a significant impression. Charles Byrnes was enthusiastic about Summer Melody when he won a Navan bumper last month. He didn't cut much ice in a subsequent maiden hurdle, but there should be more to come from him.
Prediction : 1st Pinkerton 2nd Longhouse Poet 3rd Summer Melody

There is likely to be plenty of pace on here as Kilbree Warrior wears her heart on her sleeve and races clear off the front. She routed the field in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle before Christmas and reappears under the 7lb penalty. Global Equity has to shoulder 12st 6lb after winning a mares' handicap hurdle by eight lengths in Thurles. Her chance is certainly respected, however, this race could set up well for BELLE METAL who has each-way claims on seasonal reappearance. She travelled into contention, but weakened before the last over 3m at Punchestown in May. She won a Listed bumper at this track and will enjoy the forecast testing conditions. Kieran Callaghan's 7lb claim is more than useful on Robyndeglory.
Prediction : 1st Belle Metal 2nd Global Equity 3rd Robyndeglory

The unbeaten GERRI COLOMBE can land this Grade 1 prize. Gordon Elliott's stayer has annexed a pair of bumpers, a maiden hurdle and a novice hurdle before starting his chasing campaign with an easy victory at Fairyhouse last month. He will plough through the soft ground in Limerick. Willie Mullins knows what is required to win this top-level race having snared five of the last 10 renewals. His Kilcruit was far from extended in winning a beginners' chase by a wide margin in Punchestown. Afterwards, jockey Paul Townend commented that he has filled out and was looking to take the fences on. He was Grade 1 placed over hurdles and should be a tough opponent. Adamantly Chosen and Authorized Art also represent Mullins and can pick up decent cheques.
Prediction : 1st Gerri Colombe 2nd Kilcruit 3rd Adamantly Chosen

BONNIE KELLIE showed a return to form when a close second over further in Clonmel last month. She has winning form over a similar trip and will handle conditions well. The Eye Of Tulla races off a lowly mark, but has a couple of things in his favour. He ran a creditable race in second behind a winning favourite in Naas and, once again, avails of promising conditional Diarmuid Moloney's 7lb claim. Carnet De Stage has to bounce back from being pulled up in Thurles but that is possible at a track he knows well. Courting Vickie beat Bonnie Kellie in Clonmel, but wasn't at her best off her new mark in Tramore. She is capable of having a say, though.
Prediction : 1st Bonnie Kellie 2nd The Eye Of Tulla 3rd Carnet De Stage

The form of COOLE CHERRY'S neck second in a Naas bumper is very strong. The winner came out and won a maiden hurdle at Naas by 11 lengths while the third was a decisive winner of a mares' bumper at Thurles. The Mahler filly is related to a host of multiple winners. Thegingrin is one of three representatives from Gordon Elliott's stable and looks dangerous. She was an impressive winner of her point-to-point at Belharbour in February after which she made 115,000 guineas at the Sales. With the jockeys' claims factored in, she receives 4lb from Coole Cherry. Hot Shimmer showed marked improvement to come home third in a maiden hurdle at Limerick. Bold Reflection is another graduate from the point-to-point fields to make six figures at the Sales after two placed runs in that discipline.
Prediction : 1st Coole Cherry 2nd Thegingrin 3rd Hot Shimmer