Limerick preview

Limerick's eight-race card today begins with no less than four maiden hurdles and on a day when the Robbie McNamara Trust will be fundraising, it would be appropriate to have a Dermot Weld trained winner with Show Court in the Gain Horse Feeds And J.S.Bolger Maiden Hurdle.

Weld and McNamara teamed up for numerous winners in the past ten years, most notably in the 2014 Cheltenham Bumper with Silver Concorde, and the 21 times Champion Flat Trainer has solid claims with Show Court, running in the colours of his son Kris Weld.

Show Court was a smart flat performer and while he won just twice in that sphere, has been competing from a rating in the 80s. His only previous hurdle run, under McNamara, was when fifth at Cork last January and he is likely to benefit from that experience. Round Tower represents the in-form Karl Thornton yard and, while an early casualty at Down Royal eight days ago, has solid claims on previous form.

Pat Fahy enjoyed three winners in October and his Tongie can continue the trainer's good recent spell in the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association Maiden Hurdle.

Tongie has finished second on three of his last four starts and a reproduction of those efforts might suffice against Coolbane West whose rating has dropped 7lbs in his last three outings.

Six of the Dermot Weld Britain v Ireland (Q.R.) Challenge Handicap Hurdle are trained locally in Limerick with Mackey Boy a hopeful choice for Askeaton based trainer Paddy Neville.

Mackey Boy overcame a near three year absent when finishing a very credible third at Listowel in September and any progression would see him hard to beat under British amateur Stan Sheppard.