8th October - Limerick Review (AW)

8th October – Limerick

Going : Yielding to Soft (Times lean towards soft)

Amalfitano followed up his Listowel maiden success in the listed novice hurdle that opened the days racing. This was a nice performance and it may be worth keeping on the right side of him, or at least erring on the side of caution. He will stick to novices for the time being and his small stable could have a dark horse on their hands. Ruby Walsh came in for criticism aboard Davenport Democrat, he was unable to dominate this field however and blew up in similar fashion to his run at Galway. Quite where they go with him next is hard to anticipate, as he has been chasing with success already this year. Favourite Eternal Lady crashed out at the 6th and should pick up some black type in heavy going over the winter. Coin Man continues to run with credit, but may struggle with the softening winter ground, Failte Arais will find a less competitive race.

Edward O’Grady’s Bernabeu recorded a fairly solid performance when winning the handicap hurdle. The winner has shown a preference for better going in the past and I’d expect his shrewd trainer to have some spring targets already picked out for him. O’Grady unleashed Sky’s The Limit at this meeting last year. In behind on the day was Killeroran Kash, a subsequent winner that gives the form of this race at a similar level a little boost. Constantine should have a small race in him at some point when dropped in the weights.

Foligold could be settling in since coming over from France, he could do no more than win but the performance was fairly average, and his stable have been in form.

Another trainer in form is Shane Broderick and his The Long Haul took the staying handicap hurdle. This is his level for now but future success is a definite possibility. Illringuback is another to take from the race, he has since run again, finishing second and his turn in winning shouldn’t be far away again.

The main race of the day (the Munster National) was taken in superb style by Pearly Jack. This was a noteworthy performance, and he will be trained with the Grand National in mind. Star Clipper and Dix Villez put in nice displays too, whilst the ground seemed to take the sting out of recent dual scorer Bothar Na. The form of the race should provide a good yardstick come next April and I’d already be tempted to invest a little in the winner.

Justified didn’t have to do much to win a quietly contested listed chase. His dominance possibly led to the downfall of Gemini Lucy. She also likes to front run and I fear she feels it when pressurised, especially on ground softer than good.

The last was full of incident, as Knight Legend looked all set to score when crashing out after the second last with Mounthenry a faller three out. This left Royal Heritage to score a tidy victory for Willie Mullins. The race was run at a fairly true gallop and the form looks fairly decent. Knight Legend has gone on to finish second in a good race at Punchestown, whilst Mounthenry finished second in a listed race the previous day at the same track. Little Alou continues to run consistently and will eventually find a weak enough opportunity. The winner will improve with experience and enjoys soft conditions. His previous conqueror was Amalfitano, adding a little spice to the belief that both could be a little unexposed.