We’re half way through the Christmas racing week in Leopardstown and Limerick.
In Leopardstown today we have 10 runners. In the opener, the 2m4f maiden hurdle, we run BUTCHERS BILL and SERMANDZARAK. Butchers Bill is making his debut over hurdles and his seasonal reappearance. He was 9th in Tattersalls Sales Bumper back in March and has taken time since to grow and strengthen up. He’s well bred, being a full brother to yesterday’s Grade 1 winner Romeo Coolio, and will hopefully show a better account of himself over hurdles with Jordan Gainford in the saddle. SERMANDZARAK was a dual bumper winner last season before just being seen off on his hurdling debut in Punchestown last month. He will have come on for his last run and looks a serious danger in todays race. Danny Gilligan rides.
VOICE OF REASON takes on a field of 27 in the handicap hurdle. A winner on the flat, he was showing promise over hurdles when switched into handicap company but has failed to make any impression on his last two outings. Running in the colours of new connections today, hopefully he will give Paddy Cleary a great spin.
DEE CAPO represents us in the beginners chase. He was running a big race last time out before falling at the second last. Hopefully that hasn’t knocked his confidence and he can put in a similar performance today. Dany Gilligan takes the ride.
In the Grade 1 Savills Hurdle we run BEACON EDGE. He has been the model of consistency for his connections and always seems to out run his odds. He’s up against it here today but he has cheekpieces fitted and is in excellent form at home. Danny Gilligan rides.
In the Savills Chase, we send CONFLATED down to post. A previous winner of this race back in 2022, his form has tailed off in recent years and he is the only veteran in this race. He’ll have a tough ask but should give Danny Gilligan a good spin round.
We saddle 3 runners in the Pertemps Qualifier. STAFFORDSHIRE KNOT makes the switch back to hurdles after having two runs in beginner chases. He out ran his odds when finishing 2nd in a Grade 1 at Aintree last season to Brighterdaysahead and has the benefit of Carl Millars 5lb claim today. BINGE WORTHY won last time out at Punchestown over 2m4f and looks as though he could be well suited to staying trips. Jordan Gainford rides. FORTUNEDEFORTUNATA ran a big race to finish 5th last time out in Navan in a valuable handicap hurdle over 3m1f. He is another who relishes the staying trips and could run well under Danny Gilligan.
In the bumper, we send out new recruit KOVANIS. A 10 length winner of his point to point, he makes his racecourse debut today. In this small field, he looks to hold strong claims. Harry Swan rides.
In Limerick we now have 4 runners.
TIMMY TUESDAY runs in the CUBE Maiden Hurdle. He was well held on his reappearance after a long lay off but will have come on for the run and should hopefully finish closer today. Sam Ewing rides.
In the Grade 1 Novice Chase we run SEARCH FOR GLORY. He’s a dual Grade 3 winner over hurdles and was just touched off by stablemate Stellar Story in a Grade 2 contest over 3 miles. He drops back in trip today but can’t be discounted with Sam Ewing in the saddle.
In the 3 mile handicap hurdle we run GAYE WINNIE. She stepped up in trip to 3 miles for the first time in Tipperary last time out where she finished 4th, only beaten by less than 3 lengths. That was by far her best run to date and hopefully she can show another good account of herself over that trip here today. Sam Ewing rides.
Our final runner in Limerick is ROAD EXILE in the bumper. He’s a new recruit to the yard having won his point just last month. A half brother to two winners, he should go well in the hands of Josh Williamson.
