LACE TO TIE UP CHASE GLORY
JP’S mare can continue Cromwell’s winning streak
BY
LIMERICK LACE should be capable of defying top-weight in the Irish Stallion Farms Rated Novice Chase in Down Royal today.
The J P Mcmanus-owned mare looks another likely winner for her in-form trainer Gavin Cromwell, who registered a double at Navan on Saturday and followed-up by saddling Stumptown to triumph at Thurles on Sunday.
Six-year-old Limerick Lace chased home subsequent Grade 1 winner Brandy Love, in addition to winning a maiden hurdle at Punchestown as a hurdler last season.
And the daughter of Walk In The Park has done little wrong in two outings over fences, catching my eye when fifth to Hollow Games on her fencing debut at Navan in mid-november, although the form of that race hasn’t worked out particularly well.
Limerick Lace was then well-fancied for a rated novice at Limerick over Christmas but, having travelled and jumped well, was unable to get on terms with all-the-way winner Drumbear.
The selection finished 13 lengths clear of the third that day, with one of today’s rivals, Irish Blaze, a well-beaten fourth.
Cromwell’s charge looks more than capable of notching a chase success. And this looks an ideal opportunity.
The opening Molson Coors Beverage Company Maiden Hurdle might develop into a duel between Doctor Bravo and The Big Doyen.
The latter, a dual bumper-winner, beat Nucky Johnson narrowly in a Punchestown maiden hurdle in late November but was subsequently disqualified.
Peter Fahey’s charge sets a decent standard on that form. But, on a line through Clonshire River
(runs in today’s 3.00), the Gordon Elliott-trained Doctor Bravo might have his measure.
This Doctor Dino gelding won a Punchestown bumper on his debut early last month before bumping into the unbeaten, Willie Mullins-trained Dark Raven at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Doctor Bravo has only raced twice, is open to more improvement than his chief rival and, although the Cullentra horses are going through a bit of a lean spell, Davy Russell’s mount gets the nod.
Closutton newcomer Macdermott, a Saint Des Saints gelding, will be the focus of attention in the bumper.
But he’ll face a stern enough test against Gordon Elliott’s (inset) No Time To Wait, a casualty in his two point-to-points before finishing a solid third to the Mullinstrained Ile Atlantique on his racecourse debut at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
Eoin Mccarthy’s long trip from West Limerick to Down Royal might prove worthwhile with hat-trick-seeker Marelly in the Franciscan Well Rated Novice Hurdle. This six-year-old looks progressive, has won a handicap hurdle at Gowran Park (off 101) and a rated event in Limerick. Receiving weight from his eight rivals, should be competitive in an ultra-competitive contest.