12:45 Limerick

Friday 1 December 2017

All12:4513:1513:4514:1514:5015:2515:55

Book Online At www.limerickraces.ie Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 4m 56.20s

Celtic Rising²⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: A E Lynch| T: H De Bromhead

12/1

Swapped hands for £60,000 at the Cheltenham sales in February after bloodlessly winning a point-to-point at the turn of the year. Not so good on rules debut at Tipperary, though, and a big improvement is already required.

Form: 1-9

Cherokee Bill²¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade

12/1

Pleasing effort in a bumper at Punchestown in 2015 but only raced once since (and wasn't as eye-catching back at the same course in April this year). Possible he'll do better now there are obstacles in the way but still looks a bit risky for now.

Form: 3/5-

Chris's Dream¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: E M O'Sullivan

7/1

Point-to-point winner last December but two runs in bumpers yielded very little in return. However, posted a more encouraging effort on hurdling debut last month and possible there's more to come. Interesting if supported.

Form: 010-62

Frenchfort¹⁵⁶⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: A J Flaherty⁽⁷⁾| T: V T O'Brien

50/1

Not shown much in three previous starts and very hard to see him improving at his age. Would be surprising if he's good enough to play a strong role.

Form: 000/

Great Khan¹⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D J Mullins| T: E J O'Grady

10/1

Mainly consistent but not much joy after six runs over hurdles. Even though he folded tamely over 2m4f latest, he but is better judged on previous placed efforts at Downpatrick and Killbeggan., so not without hope of making the frame again.

Form: 82-2336

Judgement Day²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead

11/2

Posted good efforts since joining the professional ranks and comes here on the back of a solid run behind the so far unbeaten Red Jack, when third at Naas last month. A repeat of that run would see him go close here. Big chance.

Form: 1/222-3

Magnetosphere²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S A Bramall

66/1

Pulled up twice and only beat one horse home in a weak maiden at Thurles last month (beaten by 65l on that occasion). Very hard to make a case in his favour this time around too.

Form: P/P6

Soul Kaliber^t²²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 109

14/1

Has shown ability and very feasible he'll pick up a race at some point. Already has a bit to find with Great Khan though and plenty to prove after being brushed aside tamely at Killbeggan when last seen out (in April).

Form: 48P248-

Stowaway Forever²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey

10/1

Starting to look exposed but it may simply be that he needs a sterner test of stamina. This drop in trip doesn't look ideal at this stage and he's probably best watched this time.

Form: 9425-44

Rough Night²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny Mullins| T: E U Hales

50/1

Allowed to start at odds of 50/1 in each of his last two starts and has basically run up to market expectations. Possible he'll do better over a longer trip in time but he makes limited appeal even though this distance is a new challenge for him.

Form: 3-807

Ask Heather²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Phillip Enright| T: J Dullea

66/1

Debut run at Tramore was a sound enough introduction but she failed to build on that effort when finishing down the field at Clonmel a month ago. Hard to fancy on that evidence.

Form: 50

Flammable Lady³²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: M J Bolger| T: S Byrne

33/1

Didn't jump at all fluently and was readily left for dead when the tempo increased when she made her debut in a point-to-point in January. Obviously been given time but huge amount of improvement is now required.

Form: P-

Glebe Girl⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: A McCurtin⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Walsh| BF

14/1

Put together a series of good efforts in defeat - the latest of which was a tad disapproving even though she finished a good second. The form has been let down since, so chinks are there to see. Likely to be thereabouts but running out of chances.

Form: 043232

Laurina²²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

8/11

Represent a powerful yard with an enviable record with its French imports. Her form is difficult to assess from her homeland, however, so the betting will have to guide. Very dangerous to underestimate given her trainer's impeccable eye for talent.

Form: F2-

Back Bar¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Reserve 1| T: G Elliott

14/1

Reseve: Signs of ability but a touch below par at Clonmel last time, so now has something to prove.

Form: P/U23-9

Smithscorner^t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Reserve 2| T: R Tyner

33/1

Reserve: Form is a mixed bag so far but has winning form from the point-to-point scene, so feasible he'll make a chaser in time. Improvement needed if getting a run.

Form: P2-00S4

Coeur De Beauchene⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Reserve 3| T: G Elliott

12/1

Reserve: Has shown ability but jumping let him down at Downpatrick when last seen out and needs to keep his focus at the obstacles. The trip ought to suit though.

Form: 2326-6

Forecasts

Laurina (8/11), Judgement Day (11/2), Chris's Dream (7/1), Great Khan (10/1), Stowaway Forever (10/1), Celtic Rising (12/1), Coeur De Beauchene (12/1), Cherokee Bill (12/1), Glebe Girl (14/1), Back Bar (14/1), Soul Kaliber (14/1), Flammable Lady (33/1), Smithscorner (33/1), Frenchfort (50/1), Rough Night (50/1), Ask Heather (66/1), Magnetosphere (66/1)

There may be plenty more to come from JUDGEMENT DAY, whose latest start reads pretty well in the context of this race and the five-year-old looks a worthy contender in this company. Glebe Girl has hit the post a few times and already looks vulnerable to a more determined finisher. However, he has decent placed form to her name and has the ability to play strong part in the outcome. Great Khan and French import Laurina are others worth noting in the betting - the latter especially given who she represents. Quite whether she'll be good enough value on her Irish debut is debatable though.