Supreme to reign

Limerick and Down Royal previews: Charlie Swan is represented at all three meetings today and while Oh Be The Hokey is after…

Limerick and Down Royal previews: Charlie Swan is represented at all three meetings today and while Oh Be The Hokey is after big money in the Paddy Power, it could be that Love Supreme is the one worth waiting for in the last at Limerick

The mares' bumper is not a bad contest with Syncronicity an interesting contender if returning to some previous form but Love Supreme still looks the safest option.

Her runner-up placing to Fethard Lady at Punchestown has started to read even better the more the latter horse has raced and not having run since September should not be a problem.

Swan looks to hold very decent chances throughout the afternoon including in the Beginners Chase with Ransboro who ran an okay race behind Kald River at Downpatrick last time out.

READ MORE

The most famous name on view at Limerick will be the 2003 Grand National hero Monty's Pass who continues his preparation for an Aintree return in the conditions hurdle.

Famously Monty's Pass has never won over the smaller obstacles and that doesn't look like changing now as that man Swan again pitches in the Thurles maiden winner One More Minute.

Supporters of Langkawi Bay will no doubt feel that the Limerick track owes them something as Thomond O'Mara's versatile horse has a first start since losing, in the stewards' room, a mile handicap run on the flat here in October. He goes in the handicap hurdle today and off a mark of 70 will be no back number.

Jessica Harrington's primary focus will understandably be on Moscow Flyer at Leopardstown but she also sends a significant raiding party to Down Royal.

The last time Strike Back ventured to the Maze he ran into the formidable Mariah Rollins who nevertheless had to be near her best to come out on top.

There appears to be nothing of her talent in this afternoon's Beginners Chase and although Strike Back has been beaten since by Cane Brake he does appear to have got his chance over fences.

I'll Call You Back could have a harder job in the second maiden hurdle but, on the form that saw the Harrington horse run second to Kerryhead Windfarm, he should at least go close.

Panaea makes the long journey from the Co Wicklow stables of Prunella Dobbs and if showing something like the form that saw her run second to Church Island at Punchestown it should be a happy trip back.

Noel Meade sends Naples back to the course and distance over which he made a decent debut behind Haggle Twins at the start of November.

There are others in this with bits of form, including Charlie Swan's Wexford runner-up Teeming Rain, but heavy ground should not be a problem for Naples.

The three-mile hunters chase is an unusual puzzle but those who feel the need for a bet could do worse than side with Trovalo.

Jim Dreaper's horse won a point-to-point in Longford earlier this month and at least comes here in decent form.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column