UK Horse Racing Tips: Limerick

ITS BILBO drops in grade having run well in Grade 2 company over Christmas. The selection was beaten by Willy De Houelle at Compiegne on his debut in France last March and, on his Irish debut, showed nice ability in winning at Punchestown. Notably, the winner of his Leopardstown race subsequently scored at Grade 1 level and today's race is a lesser contest. Kurasso Blue was an Auteuil winner last September and while he holds Castleheath on Naas form last month, might struggle to beat the selection. Action Plan returns following a break and will appreciate drying ground.
Prediction : 1st Its Bilbo 2nd Kurasso Blue 3rd Action Plan

MOZZIES SISTER is an able performer and stays well. Although defeated by today's rival Familiar Dreams in a Grade 3 bumper last May, the selection has done better over hurdles since and a reproduction of either of her last two runs, when placed in Grade 2 and Grade 1 company, would see her involved. Familiar Dreams jumped better than on her hurdling debut to win at Punchestown but now steps up in grade. The Great Nudie was beaten by William Munny recently and on prior form, holds today's rival Sainte Tartare. Tareze readily landed a Listed race last month, while Barnahash Primrose was badly hampered when scoring at Leopardstown.
Prediction : 1st Mozzies Sister 2nd The Great Nudie 3rd Tareze

A MERE BAGATELLE returns following a winter break to contest this weak handicap. A faller on his last two runs in September, he had previously shown useful form and scored over fences at Killarney last May. Ground-versatile and suited by this distance, he was beaten in three completed hurdle starts last summer but is now rated 18lb lower in this sphere than over fences. Aleish Lass hasn't run since being placed in an ordinary hunters chase last April but is interesting reverting to hurdling. A point-to-point winner, she stays well and should compete from 91. Point-to-point winner Master Of The Sums is respected on his placed effort here in December.
Prediction : 1st A Mere Bagatelle 2nd Aleish Lass 3rd Master Of The Sums

CUSTOM TAYLOR has useful form over staying distances and drops in grade, having finished midfield in a smart Listed handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. The selection had previously run well here over Christmas and bumped into subsequent winner Will The Wise at Punchestown in January. A reproduction of that form would see him difficult to beat. Masterboy Davis' form is inconsistent and while he ran satisfactorily at Cork in January, may struggle to beat the selection. Rachel's Secret disappointed on her reappearance run on New Year's Day and has since reverted to Declan Queally's yard.
Prediction : 1st Custom Taylor 2nd Masterboy Davis 3rd Rachels Secret

MY GAFFER had shown nice ability prior to winning on his chase debut at Clonmel last month and can defy top-weight, under a different 7lb claimer. A bumper and course maiden hurdle winner, the selection defeated the subsequent Dublin National runner-up when scoring at Clonmel and he should cope fine with drying ground. Midweek Voices has progressed very well recently but is 7lb higher than when winning at Gowran, with his same rider now claiming 2lb less. St Faz has run well on his two chase outings to date and should compete on his first handicap start.
Prediction : 1st My Gaffer 2nd Midweek Voices 3rd St Faz

FAIRYHILL RUN has a big layoff to overcome but has consequently dropped markedly in the ratings. A five-time winner, the selection was once rated 138 and while that dipped during 2023, she managed a runner-up placing when rated 123 that September and now competes from just 117. She obviously needs to recapture some of that old form but might still have some mileage left as a 10-year-old. Soloman Lane probably needs testing ground but has recent form and should again compete under his 7lb claimer. Lake Chad is 6lb higher than when winning at Thurles, while Krabat and Big Debates revert from hurdling.
Prediction : 1st Fairyhill Run 2nd Soloman Lane 3rd Krabat

WITHOUT EXCEPTION had shown just ordinary form prior to winning from a low mark over hurdles last month and now notably reverts to fences, rated just 80. He showed just glimpses of form last year but having been well supported on St Stephen's Day, he was pulled up in that Down Royal race. However, he subsequently scored at Punchestown and if he reproduces that form over fences today, looks sure to get involved. Seeking a four-timer now, Maciver narrowly defeated Spellacy's Cross to win at Clonmel last month and while both horses have crept up the ratings, they should again compete.
Prediction : 1st Without Exception 2nd Spellacys Cross 3rd Maciver

WATCHFUL PROTECTOR showed promise on his course debut in January and while beaten 21 lengths on his recent hurdles bow, shaped as though he would benefit from that run. He ran well behind two more experienced rivals here in January and while never in contention at Fairyhouse subsequently, he did finish his race nicely. Point-to-point winner L' Evangeliste himself showed promise in a smart course bumper over Christmas but on a line through that race's runner-up Road Exile, he has a little to find with the selection. Fruit De Mer easily defeated the now 105-rated Paul Collins to win his point last April and has since joined a leading trainer.
Prediction : 1st Watchful Protector 2nd L Evangeliste 3rd Fruit De Mer