Kevin Blake

1.10 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF AUCTION MAIDEN 6F 150YDS

An intriguing opener and preference is given to the Ger Lyons-trained Mack Attack. The son of Mayson has improved with each of his three starts to date culminating in a fine fifth in a listed race at Fairyhouse last time. He sets the standard. Of the remainder, the Pat Fahy-trained Stormy Belle has been improving with racing and is capable of running another big race here.

Selection: MACK ATTACK

Next Best: Stormy Belle

1:40 BOOK ONLINE AT WWW.LIMERICKRACES.IE MAIDEN 7F

Another fascinating maiden and the one that makes the most appeal is the Mick Halford-trained Saltonstall. The son of Pivotal made a promising debut in a maiden at Naas last month, finishing second to Territory. Mick Halford’s two-year-olds can generally be expected to improve notably from their debuts and he should be tough to beat. His most interesting rival is perhaps the John Murphy-trained Massif Central. The son of Arcano has run very well in both his starts to date and still looked green on the latest occasion at Roscommon. He could well improve again and should be in the mix.

Selection: SALTONSTALL

Next Best: Massif Central

2.15 IRISHINJUREDJOCKEYS.COM ANGLO RACE 7F

The Dermot Weld-trained Sharliyna created a very good impression when making a winning debut at Leopardstown in August and could maintain her unbeaten record in this contest. The daughter of Pivotal was well backed on that occasion and delivered in style, beating the subsequent winner Truffles by an easy three-and-a-half lengths. Another unbeaten contender is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Black Hawk War, the son of War Front having made an impressive winning debut at this track earlier this week.

Selection: SHARLIYNA

Next Best: Black Hawk War

2:50 CHRISTMAS RACING FESTIVAL APPRENTICE HANDICAP 7F

The Liz Doyle-trained Annie Irish is given the nod. The five-year-old returned to winning ways on her penultimate start at Gowran Park and while she was below her best at Dundalk last time, the return to this softer surface is likely to show her in a better light. A solid alternative to the selection is the John Hayden-trained William Ashford, who comes into this in the form of his life.

Selection: ANNIE IRISH

Next Best: William Ashford

3.25 KEANES LADIES DAY TOMORROW NURSERY HANDICAP 1M

Willie McCreery has enjoyed another successful season and he may add to his tally courtesy of Chieftain Jack in this contest. The son of Clodovil hinted at promise in maidens and shaped nicely on his nursery debut at Fairyhouse last time. The return to this longer trip seems sure to suit and an improved effort could be forthcoming. Of his rivals, the Kevin Prendergast-trained Duck Egg Blue makes the most appeal.

Selection: CHIEFTAIN JACK

Next Best: Duck Egg Blue

3:55 MCMAHON’S MUNSTER MILE HANDICAP 1M

Another competitive handicap and the one that catches the eye is the Dermot Weld-trained The Moore Factor. The son of Baltic King ran very well when just touched off by Canary Row at Listowel last time and a repeat of that enough would be enough to see him go close here. The best of the rest could be the Tommy Stack-trained Balcony, for all that the handicapper didn’t miss her by putting her up 9lb for winning a maiden at the seventh time of asking at Navan last time.

Selection: THE MOORE

FACTOR

Next Best: Balcony

4:30 LADBROKES MUNSTER NATIONAL TOMORROW HANDICAP (45-65) 1M 3F 70YDS

This could well see the Pat Flynn-trained Lizard Point get off the mark. The three-year-old is bred for much better than this, being by Fastnet Rock out of the 1000 Guineas winner Virginia Waters, but it was only on his most recent start that he showed a glimpse of ability, finishing second in a handicap at Gowran Park in July.

While his absence since then is a slight concern, if he can build on that he will go close. The pick of his rivals could well be the Boots Madden-trained Against The Breeze as, though he was disappointing on his latest start, his previous second at the Curragh was promising and he is worth a chance to bounce back.

Selection: LIZARD POINT

Next Best: Against The Breeze

5.05 LADBROKES MUNSTER NATIONAL TOMORROW HANDICAP (45-65) 1M 3F 70YDS

This is just as tricky as the first division and the one that makes the most appeal is the Boots Madden-trained Aa Bee See. The son of Holy Roman Emperor showed significant improvement to get off the mark at the eighth time of asking at Sligo last time and a 4lb rise may not be enough to stop him following up. His most interesting rival is the Tony Martin-trained Tudor City, who appeals as being well-handicapped on the level.

Selection: AA BEE SEE

Next Best: Tudor City