UK Horse Racing Tips: Limerick

MODE AVION was an impressive winner in handicap company at Fairyhouse last month and this looks like a nice opportunity to bag a follow-up win. The French-bred gelding eased down for a comprehensive success and was put up to a mark of 128, which sets the standard. Kilmeaden is rated only a couple of pounds inferior and is the obvious danger. He was a touch disappointing when a beaten favourite at Naas, but he was good previously in Punchestown. Dschingis Desire gets the allowances and is another who has to come into calculations.
Prediction : 1st Mode Avion 2nd Kilmeaden 3rd Dschingis Desire

HOW'S HANNAH looks very smart and can take another step up the ladder. The San Frontieres mare was heavily eased down to win her maiden hurdle at Punchestown last month and the runner-up Torpille Dagrostis has scored since. Jody Townend won a point-to-point on her and takes the ride now. Zanoosh sets the standard with an official rating of 130. She was an easy winner in Listed company at Navan and won't be an easy nut to crack. Changeyourstars ran a big race at this level when chasing home Lord Rouge in Gowran and also has to be on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Hows Hannah 2nd Zanoosh 3rd Changeyourstars

MICKEY HULIE ran a big race at Naas last week and a similar effort may be enough to get his head in front now. The Pour Moi gelding was just collared late on by Let's Go Mans and a 4lb rise doesn't look harsh. Gaelic Des Chastys has been knocking on the door and is only 1lb higher than when chasing home Mi Lucky Cailin at Thurles. He should be thereabouts again. Roc My Haarth showed improvement when second to Chase The Moon at Punchestown last month and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Mickey Hulie 2nd Gaelic Des Chastys 3rd Roc My Haarth

FOU DE TOI was a touch disappointing on his Irish debut, but there should be better to come from the Motivator gelding. He faded from the second-last after racing prominently in Thurles last month and it's interesting that connections go up in trip. Frankie's Freebie has been running in some decent maiden hurdles and is probably the pick on form. He ran into a decent sort in Fillyoureye at Punchestown last time. Panjandrum hasn't really progressed since winning a bumper in November, but could get closer now.
Prediction : 1st Fou De Toi 2nd Frankies Freebie 3rd Panjandrum

RIVER VALE can gain some compensation after falling with the race at his mercy in Thurles. The Mick Winters-trained gelding looked set to collect when travelling strongly down to the last, only to crash out. A 4lb rise doesn't look harsh. James The Brave didn't jump well when last seen chasing, but could be a threat. He has been in fine form over timber recently and his previous two outings over fences were good so it may pay to draw a line through that effort at Limerick over Christmas. Doyen Magic has a nice low weight and could be another contender.
Prediction : 1st River Vale 2nd James The Brave 3rd Doyen Magic

DANCING JEREMY looks the one to beat if he can get the longer trip. The grey was a touch fortunate to win at Thurles three weeks ago but it was a stronger race than this and, off a 4lb higher mark, he doesn't look harshly treated. The furthest he's won over is 2m4f, but he was placed over 3m over hurdles. Rocky's Howya comes here off the back of a couple of claiming hurdle wins and looks an obvious danger. He's probably better suited to chasing. West Cork Wildway was well behind the selection last time, but may get closer now over a more suitable distance.
Prediction : 1st Dancing Jeremy 2nd Rockys Howya 3rd West Cork Wildway

RIDEAU CANAL came good at Thurles last month and may be able to bag a follow-up win here. 'Sneezy' Foster's charge asserted late on when scoring three weeks ago and he is fancied to confirm that form with Nolans Rocco. The runner-up is a few pounds better off with his rival, but looked to be outstayed. Mastermind, who was behind the pair in third, has a bit to find. God Help Us returns from a little break and if he can show the same form as he did in the autumn, he's another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Rideau Canal 2nd Nolans Rocco 3rd God Help Us

BORDER LAD may be able to make a winning start under Rules. The Maxios gelding impressed on his sole point-to-point outing when scoring by a wide margin in Aghabullogue in January. He was subsequently snapped up for owner Barry Moloney, who has had some nice horses in recent years. Jury Time has been placed in two bumpers since winning a point-to-point and looks like an obvious danger. Bois D'angos didn't make much impression on the leaders when third in a Fairyhouse bumper, but may progress a bit from that run.
Prediction : 1st Border Lad 2nd Jury Time 3rd Bois Dangos