Munster National to be an Internal affair
This punter, for one, is happy to see the back of the flat for the time being and make an Internal Transfer to the jumps.
The JT Mcnamara Ladbrokes Munster National (4.35) is the highlight at Limerick tomorrow and Eric Mcnamara can repeat his success with Kaselectric in 1999.
Internal Transfer is a lightly raced eight-year-old who has really come into his own since tackling fences.
Mcnamara carefully campaigned him last season to two easy wins at this track in December and April.
He was pitched in against seasoned campaigners in the Kerry National last time out at Listowel last month, finishing fourth.
But the son of Kayf Tara travelled and jumped supremely and, if anything, got to the front too soon in the hands of Jonathan Moore.
It was a long way from home when he was joined for the lead two out and he finished a tired horse behind Poker Party.
Mcnamara though, has reported that he’s come on from his first outing of the season.
The handicapper has raised him by a single pound for that effort and with his fondness for the track evident, a big run is surely on the cards.
One of the biggest threats to Internal Transfer may come from stablemate Black Scorpion, who is also just a pound higher than when running a big race to come third in this last year.
A pipe run over an inadequate trip at Listowel should have him spot on for this one.
Another horse bound to be in the thick of things is Snugsborough Benny, who came very close in the Galway Plate last time out and deserves a big prize.
Earlier on the card, Western Victory looks a very solid proposition in the Pricewaterhousecoopers Irish EBF Cailin Alainn Mares Hurdle (2.50).
But the value option may be Gordon Elliott’s Black Tears, who should strip a lot fitter than his disappointing third place effort at Navan last month.
The daughter of Jeremy was less than two lengths behind the Mares’ Novice Hurdle winner at the Cheltenham Festival and a long season seemed to catch up with her when disappointing at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.
But she should appreciate the cut in the ground at Limerick and go well in the hands of
at Eight-year-old traded Kerry National short odds in to before tiring. Back him in come home stronger Munster version.
Davy Russell.
It is always worth keeping an eye on Charles Byrnes’ horses at his local track and any money on his Don’t Go Mad in the David Fitzgerald Memorial Handicap Hurdle (3.25) should be noted.
Well backed in a maiden hurdle at the track last December, he never really threatened and looked in need of a stiffer test.
Notably the five-year-old has been nibbled at again in his subsequent runs that have again failed to deliver, none more than so than when running no race at Listowel latest.
But it may be wise not to read too much into those and follow the market if it speaks in his favour again for shrewd connections.