UK Horse Racing Tips: Limerick

LIMERICK LACE hails from a family that has served connections well and having won her bumper nicely on testing ground, she took to hurdles well last season, winning a Punchestown maiden. She may prove even better over fences having caught the eye when staying on behind Hollow Games on her reappearance at Navan. Broomfields Jeremy won three times over hurdles on varying ground conditions and the pick of his form since sent chasing this term was a third to Barnacullia at Galway. Jody Ted also paid his way over hurdles and, following a lengthy lay-off, was left clear two out to score on his first completed start over fences at Clonmel. Drumbear won twice over hurdles last season, including on soft ground at Musselburgh, and has the size to do well over fences.
Prediction : 1st Limerick Lace 2nd Jody Ted 3rd Drumbear

David Christie has a nice team of hunter chasers at present and ULTIMATE OPTIMIST gets the vote to open his account at the first attempt in this sphere. The Fame And Glory gelding has progressed well in point-to-points this year, winning his latest three starts, and champion point rider Barry O'Neill takes the mount. The Blind Piper is obviously not the easiest to train but is in great heart at present, bringing his career-winning tally between the flags to four with a couple of recent easy victories. Wearelongterm represents powerful connections and won at Tattersalls Farm this autumn, while Johngus and Grange Island are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Ultimate Optimist 2nd The Blind Piper 3rd Wearelongterm

Jungle Prose is one of the stories of the jump season so far having completed a four-timer in staying handicap hurdles and gone up an amazing 52lb in the ratings as a result. She could well be up to this step into Graded company but preference is for KALANISI STAR, who will relish the ground conditions. The point-to-point winner impressed when slamming the odds-on Monbeg Park by 16 lengths in a Gowran Park bumper this spring and reappeared at that venue last month to beat another short-priced favourite Pink In The Park in a two-mile maiden hurdle. He should be suited by this test of stamina. Favori De Champdou is another interesting contender for the Elliott yard having beaten Harry Des Ongrais over this trip at Thurles, while dual bumper winner Letsbeclearaboutit has kept some good company over hurdles.
Prediction : 1st Kalanisi Star 2nd Jungle Prose 3rd Favori De Champdou

KUDASHEVA was bought for 370,000 pounds at Cheltenham in March just after winning a point-to-point in impressive fashion, and only gave best on the run-in when third to Grangeclare West in a 23-runner maiden hurdle over this trip at Navan last month. That winner is held in high regard and this looks a suitable opportunity back against her own sex. Knockanard Lady won a Punchestown bumper on debut and has filled the runner-up spot on both hurdle starts at around this distance. Shecouldbeanything is the other bumper winner in the line-up having added to a point victory by scoring in good style here last month. Emily Roebling has plenty of hurdling experience and should progress from a recent handicap outing at Cork, while Hauturiere and Walk With Paul are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Kudasheva 2nd Knockanard Lady 3rd Emily Roebling

ASLUCKWOULDHAVEIT caught the eye staying on in three maiden hurdle starts last season and attracted plenty of support when switched to a handicap on his reappearance over this trip at Thurles. He may have just needed the run after an eight-month break and is now fitted with a tongue tie. Meetingofthewaters squeezed through on the inner to just get up in a terrific finish over this trip at Cork recently and rates a threat off just a 6lb higher mark. Whiskey Lullaby and Optional Mix both revert to hurdles after fine efforts over fences at Fairyhouse earlier this month. The former looks the type who doesn't want to be in front too long and, as a result, is probably on a favourable rating with Jody Townend again in the saddle. Optional Mix has done well over fences this season and looks on a nice hurdles mark.
Prediction : 1st Asluckwouldhaveit 2nd Whiskey Lullaby 3rd Meetingofthewaters

THE CONNECTOR showed some promise in maiden hurdles earlier this year, but disappointed when well backed on his reappearance in a 2m4f handicap at Fairyhouse last month. The Michael Hourigan-trained gelding gave a lot more encouragement when subsequently switched back to this trip at Punchestown, keeping on well into the frame behind Pike County, with The Truant about four lengths back in sixth. Derridae won over C&D earlier this year and bounced back to form after a lengthy absence to record a 50/1 shock at Thurles. Secret Artist filled the runner-up spot behind James's Gate in a Punchestown bumper last season and after showing some promise in maiden hurdles, sneaks into this rating band on his handicap debut. A Mere Bagatelle, Dylan Lombardy and Thetys are others to note.
Prediction : 1st The Connector 2nd Secret Artist 3rd Derridae

TRACKMAN TOMMY gets a tentative vote in a race where punters should find some vital clues in the market moves. The Pat Kelly-trained gelding cost 37,000 euros at the Derby Sale last year and is a half-brother to four multiple winners, including the smart Glen Forsa. Largy Hill wasn't beaten far on his only point-to-point start and was sent off odds-on in the Cork bumper won by Monbeg Park. The Flemensfirth gelding was found to be lame after weakening in the final furlong and is a obvious threat following an eight-month break. Harveys Point is by Getaway and both his dam and half-brother won bumpers. Zapoy has a Flat pedigree, while other newcomers to note in the betting are Jimmy De Giant and Silver Midnight.
Prediction : 1st Trackman Tommy 2nd Largy Hill 3rd Harveys Point