4:30 Limerick Tips

Gained a first chasing success when winning at Listowel last time out. Reverts to hurdles running off a mark 16 lbs lower than his chasing mark so in with a real shout here.

You could make a strong case for a few in here as some of them are most definitely going to improve for the jump in trip. It’s competitive! Rightly or wrongly, I’ve backed HEY BABY. Last time out in Listowel, they added the first-time blinkers, the first-time hood, and the improvement came. The application of cash came too, 16/1-5/1 favorite, but unfortunately came up a little short. She did, however, leave the impression she needed further, keeping on without threatening the leaders, finishing 4th of 18, beaten by 9 lengths. That was her first run since May, so sure to improve, you’d imagine. Sam Ewing stays loyal, and Peter Fahy’s stable is red hot. The handicapper leaves the mark alone. Five places on offer, and I think she’s one to take seriously in an open contest.

Looked ready for this step up in distance, having secured a respectable 3rd in a handicap hurdle at Cork just 6 days ago. With 5 places up for grabs, the 10/1 odds present a great opportunity to play it safe with an each-way wager.

This is a little tentative, but I'm looking for a 'price' and at 20/1 currently. I saw enough from local trainer Eric McNamara's 5-year-old mare, The Sugarhill Lady, 22 days ago at Listowel (22f Good/Yielding) to pique my interest. That was this daughter of Kingston Hill's second run in handicap company and wasn't awful (coming off a 178-day break) with this charge keeping tabs with the pace setters only to fade 2 from home. So the drop back in trip 'could' be welcomed. I do like the look of jockey booking Michael Kenneally, who sheds 7 lbs, with this rider currently in fine fettle with 4 (of his 9) career wins coming this past fortnight. You can never dismiss this trainer's runners here at Limerick. His 34.88% place strike rate the past year tells us this. So why 20/1? It's still early days and could possibly need to drop more in the handicap?! The potential rain is a slight concern also, but at the current price and 5 places, I'll take a small punt on this relatively unexposed type.

Two runner up finishes in the last four races and I fancy Betty Dutton has a big win in here and soon. Off an attractive mark, I am siding with the mare featuring in this Handicap Hurdle.

A chance is taken on the consistent Hurricane Honey, who returns to hurdling after being defeated by a neck over fences at Sligo seventeen days ago. Her last win over hurdles at Downpatrick in July puts her firmly into the frame.

Shirocco mare who won a point on her fourth start for this yard, and she went on to win over 2m7f at Punchestown over hurdles over the summer. She hasn't been in the best of form since, but she did run a better 6th/16 at Navan on a reduced mark when dropped in trip (2m3f). She is slightly up in trip today which should suit better, and she has favourable conditions on a 1lb lower mark, so she's taken to make the frame today.