1.45 Limerick Racecourse Maiden Hurdle 2m50y
Lazer Wolf looks to have been found the ideal opportunity to get his head in front for the first time. Gavin Cromwell’s six-year-old has acquired valuable handicap experience which should stand to him now he reverts to maiden company. Although the gelding flashed his tail when finishing runner-up at Naas last month, there is nothing to suggest he is anything but genuine.
A dual winner on the flat for Andrew Balding, Whimsy has taken well to hurdling since arriving in Ireland. The mare shaped well when second at Fairyhouse last time and has a leading chance at these weights.
SELECTION: LAZER WOLF
Next best: Whimsy
2.20 Follow Limerick Races On Twitter Mares Hurdles 2m50y
A previous course and distance winner, Splashing Out was well fancied for a rated hurdle here over Christmas but was just touched off. Disappointing when down the field at Leopardstown subsequently, the six-year-old needs to put that effort behind her. Perhaps a return to a track where she has run well on all three visits will see a revival in form.
Queen Nel couldn’t have done it any easier when shedding her maiden status at Gowran Park earlier this month. Ray Cody’s mare received an opening mark of 119 but it is difficult to know if that underestimates her ability.
SELECTION: SPLASHING OUT
Next best: Queen Nel
2.55 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle 2m50y
Champagne Mahler impressed when easily landing a similar race at Gowran Park in January, before again running well when fourth at Naas last month. Although the handicapper has obviously had his say in the interim, the Henry de Bromhead-trained six-year-old should be capable of going close in this company. A reproduction of his earlier win would almost certainly suffice.
Zeeband, a maiden winner at Leopardstown last time, has work to do if he is to overturn the form of that Gowran race. A well beaten third on that occasion, the former smart flat handicapper will need to have improved.
SELECTION: CHAMPAGNE MAHLER
Next best: Zeeband
3.30 I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle 2m3f
The locally trained Summer Melody can gain a first success over hurdles for Charles Byrnes. A bumper winner at Navan in 2022, the form of that race has been well advertised by the subsequent Grade 1 exploits of the runner-up. Although yet to shine in three starts over flights, Summer Melody looks a horse who remains capable of better.
Gold In The Rivers has run well enough in a trio of maidens to suggest that one may come his way. However, on what he has shown to date, the Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old looks like a gelding who may find life easier in handicaps.
SELECTION: SUMMER MELODY
Next best: Gold In The Rivers
4.05 Follow Limerick Races On Instagram Handicap Chase 2m3f120y
Despite being hit with a 10lb rise for his Thurles win, Dancing Jeremy can follow up. A dual winner over hurdles, the grey remains favourably weighted on a 1lb lower mark in this discipline. Versatile with regard to tactics, the nine-year-old was held up last time but could well revert to making the running given the small field.
Top weight Lets Go Champ will appreciate dropping into handicap company on just his third run over fences. Having taken on Grade 1 horses on his two previous outings, the gelding will find this easier.
SELECTION: DANCING JEREMY
Next best: Lets Go Champ
4.40 Student Raceday 11th April 2024 @Limerick Races Handicap Chase 3m120y
He Fitz In can add to his two hurdles wins by gaining a first over fences. Locally trained by Davy Fitzgerald, the eight-year-old should be cherry ripe for this assignment after an eye-catching reappearance over flights here earlier in the month. Staying on nicely towards the finish on that occasion, the run should have brought him on in terms of fitness.
Point-to-point winner Folly Master made an impressive debut over fences when successful at Thurles recently. Although Tom Dreaper’s gelding has plenty of weight to carry, he could be better than this grade.
SELECTION: HE FITZ IN
Next best: Folly Master
5.15 Kevin McManus Bookmaker Champion(Pro/Am)INH Flat Race(Listed) 2m50y
It could well prove significant that Lady Of The Locke makes a quick reappearance following her winning debut at Thurles just over a week ago. On collateral form, the Charles Byrnes-trained filly has strong claims of proving too strong for Shuttle Diplomacy, the only other previous bumper winner in the line-up.
However, a greater threat may well come from Balko D’ange, who arrives here unpenalized following a nice introductory run over hurdles at Navan. Philip Fenton looks to have a couple of nice young horses this season and the former leading amateur knows exactly what is required to win a race of this nature.
SELECTION: LADY OF THE LOCKE
Next best: Balko D’ange