We have a total of 9 runners today domestically and internationally. The two day festival at Limerick racecourse begins today and we have 6 runners making their way down there, as well as 3 runners who have made the long journey all the way to America to line up at Far Hills.
We kick off the day in Limerick with YARRAMAN MAKARRATA who is our first runner of the day. Finishing mid division on his racecourse debut, he will have learned plenty from that experience and hopefully he can take a step forward and collect some prize money today. Danny Gilligan is in the saddle.
In the second race of the day the “Great National South Court Hotel Maiden Hurdle” over 2 mile 5 furlongs we have SPINOLA BAY taking his chance. This will be his third run over hurdles and he steps up in trip, which will hopefully be to his advantage. He is in great form at home and Jody McGarvey rides.
In the third race of the day, we have two taking their chance ROYAL EAGLE and RIVIERE D’ETEL. Returning from a break RIVIERE D’ETEL was actually runner up in this race last year when making her seasonal debut. Highly effective over fences, she has always shown a tendency to jump right and seems to be at her best on right handed tracks. She has done very well for a break and fingers crossed she can put in a bold show, Sam Ewing rides. ROYAL EAGLE has been a great servant for connections and on her best form she has a race of this nature well within her grasp. She will have to put her Listowel run behind her but she has race fitness on her side, and the benefit of Jordan Gainford in the saddle.
MEXICAN MOONSHINE lines up in the 2 mile 5 furlong Listed Novice Hurdle, going to post at 3.20pm. She has been ultra consistent and ran well in Cork the last day over 3 mile. She drops back in trip today, which may be more to her liking and has Danny Gilligan in the saddle. She has a great attitude and in what is a competitive race, it would be great to see her get some valuable black type.
Our final runner in Limerick is VOICE OF REASON in the “Limerick Show Handicap Hurdle” over the extended 2m. We last seen him in July and he makes his second start in handicap company today with the addition of a first time tongue strap. Hopefully he can put his best foot forward and give a good account of himself, Sam Ewing rides.
Across the Atlantic we have SET POINT who is the first of our runners in FAR HILLS going to post at 7.57pm. He runs in the “Foxbrook Champion Hurdle” over 2 ½ miles. He has traveled over very well, as have all the other runners. SET POINT takes on 9 other rivals and he has blinkers fitted. Jack Kennedy has also made the journey over and will be on board.
In the feature of the day “The American Grand National” at 8.42pm, GALVIN lines up. Previously a grade 1 winner over fences and a triumphant 4th in the Aintree national when last seen, GALVIN returns from a break to make his seasonal reappearance. He will love the good ground and takes on 8 other rivals including last years winner. Jack Kennedy is in the saddle and fingers crossed he can get his head in front.
FAMILIAR DREAMS is our final runner of the day in Far Hills, she was disappointing the last day and hopefully she can put in a much better effort this time around.