Racecards
15:55 Limerick (IRE)
Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Limerick Rated Novice Hurdle
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €11,500 added
- Winner: €7,935
- 2nd: €1,840
- 3rd: €805
- 4th: €461
- Form 5-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer D K Weld
- Jockey K C Sexton
raced in 3rd, hit 3rd, some headway and switched right approaching 2 out where mistake, soon no impression in last, no extra and eased run-in
- Form 581
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer C Byrnes
- Jockey P T Enright
tracked leader, on terms before straight, led before 2 out, soon ridden, wandered slightly and asserted before last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
- Form U13785
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
led, slight mistake 3 out, joined before straight, headed before 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last where slight mistake, kept on into 2nd close home
- Form 574664
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer P J Rothwell
- Jockey B T O'Connell
in rear, slightly impeded 3rd, closed straight, 2nd and no impression from before last, dropped to 3rd close home
In depth
Verdict
Eiri Na Casca created a surprise when scoring over fences at Tramore in October but has been well beaten subsequently over hurdles, though in much stronger company. O'donoghue's Opera reverts to hurdling after a couple of moderate runs over fences but hasn't shown enough to warrant the vote over a couple of in-form rivals. SHOW COURT came here for just his second run over timber last month and could hardly have been more impressive, coming home a long way clear. He has 3lb to concede to Rose Alice, who was part of a Charles Byrne double-header at Tramore a couple of weeks ago where she ploughed through the mud for a very easy victory, and there should be little in it this time but it's Dermot Weld's charge who just gets the verdict.
Formwatch
Show Court (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Soon chased leader, 2nd halfway, improved to lead 2 out, clear before last, easily, won at Limerick 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Fairymount Boy (11-4) by 13l, 9 ran.
Rosie Alice (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress 2 out and soon led, drew clear before last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Tramore 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Let Her Cry (11-4) by 18l, 15 ran.
Eiri Na Casca (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Always rear, behind from 3rd, no impression before 3 out, weakened and tailed off, last of 5, dist behind A Great View (11-0) at Punchestown 2m hvy in Dec.
O'donoghue's Opera (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, some progress 3 out, went moderate 4th and pushed along 2 out, kept on same pace on outer after last, 4th of 8, 14 1/2l behind Battling Boru (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f gd in Oct.