UK Horse Racing Tips: Limerick

SHANBALLY KID should be good enough to make a winning debut for Willie Mullins and Gigginstown. The five-year-old was purchased following his impressive win in a Clonmel bumper for Richard O'Brien last April. With the Mullins-trained runner-up going on to win twice subsequently, the form looks strong. Aime Desjy, another from the Mullins stable, impressed when winning at Ballinrobe in May after a near three-year absence. He is entitled to be even straighter now. Maidenstreetprince looks best of those that have previous experience over hurdles. The Charles Byrnes-trained gelding unseated on debut but was much better when third at Punchestown recently. Although well behind Aime Desjy at Ballinrobe, he should be more competitive following his recent run.
Prediction : 1st Shanbally Kid 2nd Aime Desjy 3rd Maidenstreetprince

SEABANK BISTRO is afforded another chance despite having disappointed on his hurdling debut last month. Sent off an odds-on favourite for a similar race at Punchestown, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding could manage no better than third. Based on the form of his fourth-placed finish in the Cheltenham bumper, he is one who should have no trouble winning his maiden, before going on to better things. Franciscan Rock arguably ran as well as could have been expected when third behind two potentially exciting novices at Cork recently. While that was the gelding's third run over flights, he remains a lightly raced individual who is open to further improvement. Silver King has shaped well on his first two starts over hurdles and shouldn't be discounted despite looking one who will come into his own once sent down the handicap route.
Prediction : 1st Seabank Bistro 2nd Franciscan Rock 3rd Silver King

ALLEGORIE DE VASSEY looks to have been found an excellent opportunity to pick up further black type against largely inferior opposition. The Willie Mullins-trained mare won a Grade 3 hurdle at Fairyhouse in January, easily beating a subsequent Grade 1 winner in the process. With a hurdle mark of 137, the five-year-old would have been giving plenty of weight to these rivals in a handicap but can race off levels in this novice chase. Broomfield Hall is a credible opponent having won her last four starts, including both runs over fences. As a mare on the upgrade, she shouldn't be underestimated despite needing to find more in order to trouble the Mullins representative. Malina Girl has proved very consistent since switching to fences and is capable of a big run in this small field.
Prediction : 1st Allegorie De Vassy 2nd Broomfield Hall 3rd Malina Girl

POSITIVE THINKER can get his head in front here, having filled the runner-up position on his last two starts. The five-year-old finished behind Chainofconsequence over course and distance in November, before just going down at Cork last time. A 3lb rise for that recent run seems fair, as the front two pulled well clear of the third horse. The aforementioned Chainofconsequence shouldn't be far away again, having shown real battling qualities to repel all challengers when getting off the mark. Gavin Brouder is an excellent judge of pace and the Aengus King-trained gelding is likely to be sent on early. Clear The Clouds finished third at Punchestown last month but his subsequent rise is negated by Kieren Buckley claiming on this occasion.
Prediction : 1st Positive Thinker 2nd Chainofconsequence 3rd Clear The Clouds

MASKADA should in time, be a nice addition to owner Kieran Mariga's broodmare band, but she can surely add to her four victories on the racetrack before that. On just her second start for Mariga, and trainer Henry de Bromhead, Maskada was shaping up very nicely before coming to grief at the second last fence in mares race at Fairyhouse on Hatton's Grace Day. Off a 1Ib higher mark compensation could be on the way, for one of the only two mares in this competitive big field affair. Maskada's stable companion Spyglass Hill triumphed 12 months ago here, and runner-up then, Rebel Gold, is back in the mix as well with an each-way squeak. Course winning handicap debutant Shadow Rider can't be ignored given his connections, whilst Brandy Harbour is on a roll and has just a feather-weight on his back.
Prediction : 1st Maskada 2nd Shadow Rider 3rd Brandy Harbour

CHEERFUL CHAP could be underestimated in some quarters, given that a 4/11 chance unluckily unseated three out when the selection scored at Tramore just over three weeks back. The Dooly's charge ultimately triumphed in good style, at what is his connection's local venue, and the handicapper took a dim enough view, hoisting the son of Pour Moi up 9Ib. Cheerful Chap might be equipped to answer the assessor in a positive light, seeing as he's surely capable of progression as a mere five-year-old, and that could be coaxed out of him given the increased emphasis on stamina for this assignment. Limerick at Christmas was mentioned as a target for the progressive type soon after his breakthrough success, and he did run well at the venue already, when second here in November. Paul Nolan won this last year, and he's two-handed now, with each-way hopes Backintheroom and Mercury Lane. Many others appear capable of making an impression, including Camilla's Choice.
Prediction : 1st Cheerful Chap 2nd Camillas Choice 3rd Mercury Lane

Two and a quarter miles in testing conditions is a tough ask for four-year-olds, and five-year-old CHOSEN WITNESS, with a point-to-point win under his belt, is preferred to younger rivals such as Fermoyle and Soldante. Chosen Witness actually had to share the spoils at Ballinaboola when dead-heating back in February, but by all accounts there was plenty to like about his performance when himself and rival Captain Checkdown couldn't be separated. Captain Checkdown was subsequently sold for 180,000 pounds, and Chosen Witness likely cost a pretty penny himself, as he shares a similar starting point to many decent horses in the past. Movements in the betting will hopefully provide a solid guide with regard to the many newcomers.
Prediction : 1st Chosen Witness 2nd Soldante 3rd Fermoyle