Racecards
13:55 Limerick (IRE)
Christmas Festival December 26th-29th Maiden Hurdle
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft (Soft to Heavy in places; Chase Course: Heavy)
- Surface: Turf
- €7,500 added
- Winner: €5,175
- 2nd: €1,275
- 3rd: €600
- 4th: €375
King's Road
10- Form 3-0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer J J Murphy
- Jockey D E Splaine
always towards rear
- Form 26173/
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer P Fenton
- Jockey B T O'Connell
chased leaders, 7th 3 out, closed before straight, on terms from before 2 out, soon ridden to lead and clear last, stayed on well
- Form 5-5
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey A E Lynch
prominent, close 3rd travelling well 3 out, 2nd before straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2 out
- Form 22/F-0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer E O'Grady
- Jockey P T Enright
mid-division, moderate 10th and no danger from 3 out
- Form 1-44342
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Michael O'connor
- Jockey Mr M J O'Connor
mid-division, slightly slow jump 1st, 8th after 3 out, no impression from before straight
- Form 0U/243U-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer E J O'Grady
- Jockey P F Mangan
tracked leaders, dropped to 6th before straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on without threatening run-in
- Form 6-657
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J C McConnell
- Jockey B Browne
towards rear, no danger and kept on same pace from after 3 out
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
tracked leaders, weakened from before 5 out, completely tailed off
- Form 380059
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Martin Kenirons
- Jockey P A Gallagher
towards rear, no danger and kept on same pace from after 3 out
- Form 2/23-4
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J J Hanlon
- Jockey Andrew J McNamara
tracked leaders, 5th before straight, soon no impression under pressure
Zagman (IRE)
22- Form 18-4
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer P Nolan
- Jockey D N Russell
chased leaders, closed before straight, on terms before 2 out, soon headed and no impression under pressure last, kept on same pace
- Form 5
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer P J Rothwell
- Jockey D J Bates
led, slightly slow jump 4th, slight mistake 4 out, joined 3 out, soon led again, headed and no extra straight
- Form 08-04
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
towards rear, 9th after 3 out, soon no impression
In depth
Verdict
Macarthur is the interesting one here on his hurdling debut though this year he's looked a shadow of the horse who won the 2008 Hardwicke Stakes for Ballydoyle. Beckwith Star has shown promise on both starts and can improve along with point-to-point winner For Dylan, who has done well in bumpers and should make a decent hurdler. The latter remark also applies to Sparkling Tara, who was having his first start since last August when a close fourth in a bumper at Naas last month. Goban Saor has done enough to warrant respect but ZAGMAN is likely to take some beating judging on his return to action at Punchestown where he went clear over that 2m4f trip only to weaken in the closing stages.
Formwatch
King's Road 20-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 10th of 11, 46l behind Carloswayback (11-8) at Limerick 2m cond mdn hdl sft.
Macarthur 14-1 (8-13) Keen, held up in touch, ridden and weakened 3f out, 10th of 14, 30l behind Lethal Glaze (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct (flat).
Pineau De Re (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Always prominent, ridden in moderate 2nd when drifted left 1 1/2f out, soon 3rd and no impression, kept on without threatening final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Uimhiraceathair (11-4) at Curragh 2m 4yo nhf sft in May '08.
Beckwith Star (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 7th 3 out, no impression 2 out, 6th last, kept on run-in, 5th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Talk About Miltown (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl hvy.
Clashnabrook (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Always behind, completely tailed off, last of 18, well behind Gran Torino (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f 5yo mdn hdl sft.
For Dylan (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Tracked leaders on outer, 2nd 3f out, progress travelling well to dispute leadbriefly 2f out, soon ridden and no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Henrietta's Way (11-2) at Clonmel 2m N H flat in Oct.
Goban Saor (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Soon mid-division, some headway into 6th when not fluent and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Ikidunot (11-9) at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hdl in Mar, 16 ran.
Kellystown Jack (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, progress into 7th after 3 out, no extra from before 2 out, 7th of 11, 25l behind Carloswayback (11-8) at Limerick 2m cond mdn hdl sft.
Lunaburg (FR) 40-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Ballyadam Brook (11-4) at Sligo 2m 2f mdn hdl gd in May.
Sitting Back (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 9th of 15, well behind Jessies Dream (11-12) at Galway 2m 6f beg chs gd in Oct.
Sparkling Tara 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, closed up straight, every chance 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, 4th of 22, 3l behind He's Our Man (11-11) at Naas 2m 3f N H flat sft in Oct.
Zagman (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Took keen hold on outer tracking leaders, led 3 out, went clear entering straight, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Ferris Bueller (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Mayo Mystique (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra in 4th entering straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 22, 22l behind Seafield (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl in Oct.
Ten Pinhal (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) In rear, some headway entering straight, kept on without threatening, 4th of 10, 18l behind Perfect Smile (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Gortalasa (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Mid-division early, headway into 3rd halfway, 2nd briefly 5 out, 4th next, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by First Lieutenant (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in Oct, 23 ran.
Mr Shahady (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Mid-division, effort and no impression from before 2 out, 12th of 23, 29l behind Inspector Clouseau (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Abbey Raynger (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, tailed off, 17th of 20, well behind Monastrell (11-12) at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl sft.