Limerick - Sunday 22nd March 2026
BABY KATE is tried in first-time cheekpieces, which might do the trick. A dual bumper winner, including once at Listed level at Cheltenham in November 2023, the seven-year-old has failed to match that level of ability over hurdles, but she is a useful performer who is suited by the distance and contests a winnable race. Blue Waters is rated just 3lb inferior but while she too is a bumper and maiden hurdle winner, she lacks a little of the selection's ability and would prefer better ground. Eye Of A Tiger can get the better of Miss Corby for third place.
LENJOLEUR DE PALMA finished a good second in a Listed handicap here during Christmas and that form stands out. Eric McNamara's top-weight initially shaped with some promise in the UK but has shown improvement on his Irish starts and while he hasn't raced since December, he is open to further progression and seems ground-versatile. Donnrua Dream ended a long losing spell here last month and although well beaten subsequently, he is suited by testing ground. Eight-year-old winning pointer Crohan Lady ran well at Thurles last month and now goes for a different trainer.
Course bumper winner DANI DONADONI has useful recent form and is suited by conditions. Placed fourth in a Punchestown Festival bumper last May, Willie Mullins' gelding has been frustrating to follow over hurdles but has bumped into some smart types and should take all the beating. Lightly-raced seven-year-old Doctor Elvis returned following 792 days off in January but although he has come to full fitness and shown form, he might struggle to beat the selection, who is rated 7lb higher. UK point-to-point winner Jack The Lad disappointed on his reappearance last month, but showed promise in smart bumpers last season.
MOUNT FRISCO has been running consistently well and will be suited by stepping back up in distance. While drying ground conditions aren't ideal, his recent form is good and having beaten subsequent Cheltenham fifth Beckett Rock to win at Gowran in February, he scored over hurdles at Clonmel before finishing a useful third back in this sphere at Gowran. He has bottom weight and is dependable. The veteran Krabat has also been running well and loves testing conditions, while Miss Pronunciation hasn't won for two years but went well enough at Punchestown last month.
UHAVEMEINSTITCHES was Grade 2-placed here during Christmas and her overall form reads well. Out of Irish National winner Bluesea Cracker, she won a course maiden hurdle in December 2024 and while she unseated her rider on her most recent start, she previously finished third to the brilliant Dinoblue and chased home The Big Westerner and Jade De Grugy prior to that. You Oughta Know has 2lb in hand at these weights, but his form is in-and-out and he prefers good ground. Dublin National runner-up Slotty Dotty has better recent form than four-time winner Ad Caelum.
BANTER AT THE BAR was pulled up in a recent outing but had an excuse then and remains unexposed. Out of a Grade 1-winning mare, the selection was a good point-to-point winner on debut in 2024 and while lightly raced since, won well at Punchestown in January. He lost his right front shoe when pulled up at Navan last month and has dropped 3lb following that run. Veteran Favori Logique returned following 573 days off when third at Leopardstown recently and should be noted, while Clonmeen was fourth at Fairyhouse last month and now runs in first-time blinkers.
COOLE CAFE has already won an academy hurdle as well as a bumper and escapes a penalty in this Listed race. Flat-bred, the selection defeated Apache Peak last month and meets that rival on the same terms. Cinating showed ability when finishing third at Leopardstown recently, while Brady Hartsfield finished a useful second, and a long way clear of the remainder, at Punchestown last month.
BABY KATE may ideally want better ground than this but she can make her class edge tell. The debut winner sets the standard on ratings and will appreciate the drop in trip having failed to stay 2 1/2m in a Grade 3 last time. Blue Waters also won first time out and has been highly tried since. Her penultimate run has been franked at the top level and she can chase the selection home ahead of the consistent Eye Of A Tiger who may find conditions on the soft side.
LENJOLEUR DE PALMA is a strong selection here. The form of his sole win to date has been boosted several times by the runner up and he's only 4lb higher than when placing at Listed level last time. He can take advantage of the drop in class at the expense of unreliable Halsafari who hinted at a revival last time and could be well treated returned to handicaps. Crafty Gael is another who is on a potentially dangerous mark though he will need to prove he retains his ability after a long lay off.
This looks a match race between Doctor Elvis and DANI DONADONI. The former finished ahead of a highly regarded rival when runner up last time and is proven over the trip with plenty of give in the ground. However the latter just about sets the standard on form and is marginally preferred. He is in danger of becoming frustrating but his debut runner up effort has been boosted at Graded level and he's proven himself versatile ground wise. Point winner Jack The Lad has shown promise in bumpers and over hurdles in his short career so should complete the places.
Last year's winner Linden Arden has to be respected off 5lb higher. He has been in fantastic form over hurdles this term on varying ground and is best forgiven his latest run where he was outclassed. However KRABAT arrives in equally good form and has a liking for this venue. He's only 4lb higher than his last win and his last chase run is worth marking up as he did plenty early. Mount Frisco has bounced back to form recently and did best of those up with the pace in his hat trick bid last time. He remains well treated on his old form so rates a big danger.
A pair look a long way clear of the rivals here in You Oughta Know and UHAVEMEINSTITCHES. The former has placed at this level this season and was running a big race in the Kerry National when coming down in the autumn. He has an experience edge on his main rival but is less open to improvement. James Motherway's mare is the selection having departed early last time when well fancied for a top handicap. Notably she swerved Cheltenham despite being short in the betting for the Kim Muir so connections clearly feel she is better than she has shown. She has already ran well here at Grade 2 level and is open to further improvement over staying trips.
This could be fought out by Banter At The Bar and FAVORI LOGIQUE. The unexposed former is well treated on his impressive debut win but that form has had knocks and he was well beaten when switched to handicaps last time. The latter is preferred having run a huge race last time on his return from a lay off where he travelled best until his fitness gave way. He's just 1lb above his last winning mark and having proven he retains his ability is a strong selection. Clonmeen has been hinting at a revival off a reduced mark recently and may do best of the rest in first time blinkers.
COOLE CAFE boasts an experience edge on her rivals so is expected to add to her victories in a bumper and over hurdles. That hurdles win has been franked and she can confirm recent placings with Apache Peak. Cinating conceded first run to the winner when placed on debut and is open to plenty of progress for a top yard. She can chase the selection home ahead of Alberta Rose who switches to bumper having finished midfield in a hot maiden hurdle on her sole start to date.
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