UK Horse Racing Tips: Limerick

ELLAAT hasn't run in 349 days but showed form last season and returns in a weak race. He has led a colourful life and could still retain ability aged nine, with connections likely to have had this race in mind for some weeks. Hascoeur Clermont is an able staying chaser on his day, but was well held on recent runs and has appeared just once over hurdles since September 2022. Optional Mix is rated 124 over fences and while she needs to recapture her old form, first-time cheekpieces are applied and her rider claims 7lb. Away He Goes, runner-up in the 2021 Goodwood Cup, tries hurdling but is a light of former years.
Prediction : 1st Ellaat 2nd Hascoeur Clermont 3rd Optional Mix

BIRDSANDTHEBEES has failed to win in nine previous hurdle attempts, but managed a chase victory last October and now reverts to an ordinary race in this discipline. Her timber form is unexciting and she wouldn't like really testing ground but she has a chase rating of 97, is in-form, and her rider claims 7lb. Maciver was left clear at the final fence when scoring by 25 lengths at Thurles but although he scored over hurdles in 2022, seems a better chaser nowadays. Annamaymurt finished second in a course unplaced horses' maiden over Christmas and should compete, despite struggling in one previous handicap attempt.
Prediction : 1st Birdsandthebees 2nd Maciver 3rd Annamaymurt

SAINTE TARTARE ran well on her belated career debut in November and showed nice ability in a useful course maiden over Christmas. That form has worked out well, with the runner-up and fourth-placed horses scoring subsequently, and while she drops in distance, she has soft ground in her favour and seems to be reliable. Karamoja was placed in an Auteuil Listed hurdle in September 2023 and is closely matched with the selection on a strict formline through Uhavemeinstitches (at Clonmel). However, she is on a retrieval mission having pulled up here at the Festive meeting. Nastya has shown ability but needs to improve to win.
Prediction : 1st Sainte Tartare 2nd Karamoja 3rd Nastya

The complexion of this race will change if second reserve Soir De Garde gets a run as the hurdling debutant holds a couple of entries at the Cheltenham Festival. There was a lot to like about BOWENSONFIRE's first crack at hurdling in Naas when he kept on to get up for third. He was beaten further into third at Punchestown, however, that winner is very smart. This looks an appropriate opportunity for him. Youlita has good form in point-to-points and could make an impact for Charles Byrnes. Leeside Rock is an interesting newcomer as his half-brother is two from three over flights, while Kentucky Beach could build upon a third in a Tramore maiden hurdle.
Prediction : 1st Bowensonfire 2nd Youlita 3rd Leeside Rock

SNOW PUNT appeals on the back of a creditable second at Limerick over Christmas. He was only collared in the closing stages and the horse behind him in third came out and won in a higher grade at Navan. Moudan has been placed in his last couple of handicap hurdles at Tipperary and Clonmel, so has to be respected for Ciaran Murphy and Eoin Walsh. Road To The Weir has a decent third over C&D in November in the book, while Fernhill Fling's third at Wexford in October gives him a chance. The Sugarhill Lady dips her toes into handicap company for the first time and isn't without hope.
Prediction : 1st Snow Punt 2nd Moudan 3rd Road To The Weir

THE DANCING TREE ploughed through testing ground to win his bumper by a healthy margin at this venue last year. He has faced tricky tasks in three maiden hurdles, but looks dangerous in his first handicap hurdle. Ballybrittas found the waters a bit deep when sixth in Leopardstown, but ought to be on the premises in this company. On his penultimate start, he won a maiden hurdle over a similar trip at this track. You Done Well gets first-time cheekpieces after two sixth places in big fields at Punchestown and Cork. He is in the hunt for a cheque.
Prediction : 1st The Dancing Tree 2nd Ballybrittas 3rd You Done Well

Point-to-point winner ROAD EXILE very nearly made a winning start to his track career when just pipped by a nose in a bumper over further at this track in December. He looks the one to beat in this field. Found A Diamond contested more than decent maiden hurdles at Punchestown and Leopardstown where he finished sixth and fifth respectively. He should be heavily involved reverting to a bumper. Spread Your Wings took fourth in an auction maiden hurdle at Listowel in September and that form is working out well. Mount Nelson gelding Watchful Protector starts out for Emmet Mullins and is well worth checking for market strength.
Prediction : 1st Road Exile 2nd Found A Diamond 3rd Spread Your Wings