Irish Racing Sunday

cson

Punchestown and Limerick will go ahead hopefully following inspections early tomorrow morning. Living relatively close to Limerick, its been pretty dry out wesht all day today and I'd be surprised if the meeting doesn't go ahead.

Punchestown - Heavy

1.25 The grade 2 Moscow Flyer Hurdle sees Cheltenham hope Mikael D'Haguenet return to action and it is very hard see past the market favourite in this contest. The competition all have their merits with Colm Murphys Kimerlite King the most likely challenger getting half a stone from Mikael D'Haguenet. It is interesting to see young claimer Emmet Mullins taking the ride aboard Henry De Bromhead trained Darby's Turn having previously ridden Fosters Cross into a gallant 2nd place in Thurles. Nevertheless, Mikael D'Haguenet is a class above these and should oblige at odds on price.

Back Mikael D'Haguenet 2pts Win

1.55 Black Apalachi carries top weight here in a decent handicap hurdle contest having smashed Mr Pointment into 2nd on his previous run out in Aintree in November. On that form it is hard to ignore the Dessie Hughes charge however I believe a case can be made for both Our Eric and Kasimali. Both are recieving lumps of weight from Black Apalachi and both seem to have found staying trips to their benefit with Our Eric winning over 2m7f and Kasimali finishing a close 2nd to P'Tite Fute over 3m. The preference here is for Our Eric to finish among the places who stayed on well when beating Hotterthanjuly and could well improve for another step up in distance at an attractive e/w price.

Back Our Eric 1pt e/w NB

2.25 Matt O'Connor could well complete a quick double here with Big Zeb who appears to be the only one who could pose Master Minded any trouble in Cheltenham. The 2nd favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase should further solidify his reputation as Irelands foremost 2 mile chaser and make a memorable week for Colm Murphy who saddled Brave Inca to win a week ago this Sunday. Of the rest, Mansony appears to be coming back to his best having beaten Thyne Again comprehensively at Fairyhouse could pose a threat and while being a great admirer of Scotsirish, I feel he may be a touch short of the standard required here. Big Zeb is worthy of the Nap vote here.

Back Big Zeb 1pt win NAP

2.55 Mutineer and Forest Leaves are the two who jump off the page here, if you'll forgive the slight pun. Mutineer was impressive when winning over 3m1f in Fairyhouse last time out while Forest Leaves can count himself very unlucky to have been turned over a short head to Equus Maximus last time out. One I'm very interested in here is Jim Dreapers Retrievethelegend. Dreaper is a very shrewd handler and obviously there must a be a bit of thought gone into stepping this one up to 3m4f having been out over 2m4f in his last two starts which were very impressive runs. A small e/w on Retrievethelegend is advised here as Dreaper seldom makes a bad move.

Back Retrievethelegend 0.5pt e/w

4.05 The Boxer Roche was an early faller last time out but can make amends for his Gowran Park tumble in this Handicap Chase. Paul Carberry returns to the saddle having partnered this one to win over 2m on this course lately. My only fear is he may not get the step up in trip to 2m4f. Tony Martin is always one to be wary of and Glenfolan will have plenty of support off a nice mark. The verdictg is though, is for The Boxer Roche to run into the places should Carberry coax a clear round of jumping out of him.

Back The Boxer Roche 0.5pt e/w

Limerick to follow!

cson

Limerick - Heavy

1.45 Maiden Hurdles are so often a lottery and that may well be the case here. However I'm going to make a tentative nod toward Jafra having watched him run a credible 3rd here on Wednesday. The Eric McNamara charge races off a nice weight and can score here. Mickey Blue Eyes is one to watch carrying some worthy Point-To-Point form into this contest with him.

Back Jafra 0.25pt e/w

2.15 Sallies Secret ran a cracker last time over course and distance for the local yard of Maureen Danagher and could push Persian City all the way here. However the feeling is the Willie Mullins trained gelding is a classy sort and can continue the good health of the Carlow handlers yard. While Sallies Secret may run Persian City very close, one would feel 5lbs is not enough to be able to collar the the top rated horse in the field.

Back Persian City 1pt win

2.45 Townend can double up on Persian City after landing a plum ride aboard Hampshire Express in this one. Sean Ahernes stable mate has made a glowing start to his hurdling career and can break his maiden here after just being touched off on this track on Stephens Day.

Back Hampshire Express 1pt win

3.15 Philip Rothwells Wicklow lad will be among the market principles here and justifiably so given the consistent form he has put in of late. Reverting to a longer 2m6f trip, he was second when running over 2m5f here in Limerick on his penultimate run and the hope is he can improve to trouble the judge on this longer trip under Shane Jackson.

Back Wicklow Lad 1pt win

4.15 The colourful silks of Horner Woods should be among those to pass the post first but I'm going to oppose the Jessie Harrington trained runner here. Having seen Carrigeen King run a decent race behind Irish Invader last time out in Thurles, I think another decent run is in the offing here. Amy Lalor takes off a valuble 7lbs and is among the better lady jockeys out there. One who could run into the places at a big price is Reddies. The Philip Walsh owned and trained charge drops further down in trip to 2m1f here having finished 5th over 2m4f in Punchestown. Johnny King is one of the better claiming amateurs out there also. Both will go off at attractive e/w prices and I find it hard to pick between them so I'll be having a small e/w on both.

Back Carrigeen King 0.25pts e/w
Back Reddies 0.25pts e/w

Good luck

Cantoris

Following the win of Brave Inca last week, we are going for our second graded race in a week with Kimberlite King today. On the ground and if he jumps, I think it will take a good one to beat him. This is the first time he has had a run within a month of his previous run so he should be able to step up on his form and in receipt of 8lbs, I'd be disappointed if he didn't put in a decent show.

Cantoris

Of course I forgot the race was run on the inside dog track!! Unfortunately track and trip too sharp. Pity as he beat Fosters Cross easily the last day.