Limerick - Thursday 16th April 2026
There are plenty of winners in Babyburn's pedigree, including the classy Ballyburn, and she is highly likely to improve upon a remote ninth on debut in a Fairyhouse bumper. The 108-rated FLY AWAY HOME could get her turn, though. A patient race was ridden on her in Navan and she kept on nicely in second without threatening the winner. Trip and ground should be ideal for her. Louie's Folly is up in trip after a promising runner-up berth in a fillies' maiden hurdle over 2m at this track, and she is a contender. Kisuton Enki has been off a long time since being found lame on debut at Punchestown and should be given a market check.
This is a drop in class from Leopardstown where MA JACKS HILL finished fifth and he could take advantage of it. The form of that contest is working out very well which raises hope that Ma Jacks Hill can give weight away to the field. Collaborative is rated just 2lb inferior to Ma Jacks Hill on a mark of 120 and has put together a solid body of work over hurdles. First-time blinkers could eke out a bit more from him. Grange Walk reverts back to flights and is capable of a good run, especially as he won this race last year and is on a handy mark. Way Down South and Colleen Danu add further spice to the race.
The 130-rated KING'S BUCKS sets the standard. He was pulled up on his latest start, but that was in a Grade 1 at the Cheltenham Festival and it is well worth noting that he was placed in a Grade 2 novices' hurdle at Cheltenham in November. He is a winner of a soft-ground point-to-point. He Can't Dance has been placed in all six hurdle races including in a valuable handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival, so wouldn't be winning out of turn. The market ought to be revealing about Casual Water, who makes his debut for Willie Mullins, as he is a half-brother to the top-class Altior.
HARDY STUFF ought to appreciate these calmer waters after finishing unplaced in two deep contests at Cheltenham. It was just three runs back that he delivered at Leopardstown, which opened up routes to Prestbury Park. Sense Of Occasion has displayed ability in his maiden hurdles and could have a say, while Arctic Flame was in rude health last year, but faced a stiff task on her comeback run at the Dublin Racing Festival in February. Shellrunforbriggs isn't out of contention.
HOUNDSWORTH was an emphatic winner at Cork recently and may be able to defy a 10lb hike. The Kameko gelding was overlooked in the betting, but that didn't stop him from recording a comprehensive six-length success. He remains unexposed and can go in again in what looks to be only a moderate contest. Wild Wild Wind has been knocking on the door, most recently when fourth at Clonmel, and is a player. The Dancen Kid wasn't disgraced at Wexford latest and must also enter calculations.
LET HIM B might be able to follow up despite incurring an 11lb rise for his win at Down Royal last month. The Casamento gelding was value for a bit more than the winning margin would suggest, which looks even better now given that the runner-up has since recorded a commanding success at this venue. Potters Pal was the beneficiary of some late drama at Clonmel last time and although he was ultimately a wide-margin winner, an 8lb rise makes things tougher now. Poppycon showed improvement when runner-up at Wexford last month and is another for the shortlist.
A step up in trip could suit ORLANDO SPIRIT. The French-bred gelding finished off well when narrowly denied at Thurles on his penultimate start and was also doing his best work late on at Cork last time. Mickey Hulie has also been placed on his last two outings. He drops in trip and with cheekpieces tried for the first time, he could be a danger. Rebel Cowgirl was hit with an 8lb rise for her Punchestown success but has to be respected. She beat Poets Oath that day, who went on to win the Cork race in which the selection finished third.
SPARKLING WIT is a fascinating newcomer, being a full-brother to Gold Cup winner Gaelic Warrior. He is sure to know his job first time up and Willie Mullins has landed the last two renewals of this contest. Muckanagh Lough is probably the pick of those with previous experience. The Elusive Pimpernel gelding chased home a potentially smart type in a Leopardstown bumper over Christmas and has since made the switch to Pat Foley. Too Hot To Trot, narrowly defeated on his sole outing in a point-to-point, is another to note on his first outing for Henry de Bromhead.
Not much of a race and FLY AWAY HOME rates the most likely winner having shown improved form when runner-up over 2m4f at Navan latest. She might progress again for the extra distance of today's race and can get the better of the 4yo Louie's Folly, who goes beyond 2m for the first time. She's taken to hurdles quite well but has stamina to prove over this far. Meghan Mala shaped well on her Gowran debut and should improve, so rates the third choice ahead of Babyburn, who showed little on debut but is from a top yard and might do better now hurdling up in trip.
Ma Jacks Hill is clearly capable but he's been a bit disappointing and doesn't always find for pressure, so it might be best siding with COLLEEN DANU instead. She's been freshened up by a break and was in good form when last seen, being just 2lb higher than when runner-up last time. Collaborative might have more to offer tried in blinkers and he's the danger, given he's effective from 2m-3m and still on a competitive mark.
This should go to KING'S BUCKS, who failed to fire at the Cheltenham Festival but had earlier run two good races in decent contests. This is the easiest assignment he's faced all season and he really should outclass these before being put way for a chasing campaign next season. He Can't Dance should prove suited to the step back up in trip and is the clear danger, albeit he's got a bit to find if the selection is at his best. Casual Water is related to the top-class Altior and it'll be interesting to see what the betting makes of him on debut.
Hardy Stuff struggled on quick ground in the Fred Winter and he's taking a big drop in grade here so can go well, but fellow 4yo SOMETHING NOBLE has already proven himself capable of winning handicaps, scoring over C&D last month, and he looks capable of defying a 6lb rise with his capable rider again taking the mount. Sense Of Occasion is an interesting contender on his handicap debut also, his opening mark looking workable.
A big field but a lot of these of poor performers and HOUNDSWORTH appeals as much the most likely winner. The 4yo was a big improver tried in a tongue-tie on his handicap debut, springing a 40-1 surprise, and surely has more to offer off his current rating even though he's taken a fair hike. The Dancen Kid has been improved of late and should again give his running, putting him in with a chance, while Springboard very much needed his return run and could take a step forward off a reduced mark now.
There are a few improvers in here, with Potters Pal, a good winner in a new headgear combination at Clonmel last time, respected once again despite an 8lb rise, while Let Him B has taken an 11lb rise for an improved win at Down Royal. That came on drier ground, though, so it's POPPYCON who is the selection. He improved on handicap debut at Wexford last time without winning and, being a former pointer, should improve a fair bit now upped in trip from 2m.
The mare REBEL COWGIRL finally made her breakthrough at Punchestown last time and an 8lb rise may not be enough to prevent a follow up. She has her conditions again and rates the most likely winner, although Opposite Ends was running another good race when brought down late at Clonmel last time. He's been a bit frustrating but seems to be getting his act together and could still be on a fair mark. Mickey Hulie is third choice having found his form of late and he now gets first-time cheekpieces. He's still a maiden in points but as a former point winner is surely capable of better at some stage.
A race lacking depth. Muckanagh Lough sets the standard on his improved second over 2m4f at Leopardstown and he's got a top rider booked on this first start for his new trainer. Whether he can fend off the Willie Mullins-trained newcomer SPARKLING WIT remains to be seen, though. He's a brother to none other than Gold Cup winner Gaelic Warrior, who was also quick enough to win an Arkle over 2m, and it'll be disappointing if he can't make a winning start to his career. Too Hot To Trot shaped with promise on his sole outing in a point and brings some potential to rules.
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