RACING:BARRY GERAGHTY and The Last Derby can secure Ireland's weekend feature, tomorrow's €90,000 Ladbrokes Munster National at Limerick.
The Curragh also hosts three Listed races tomorrow but the Derby vibe could be at Limerick where a field of 16 line up for a three-mile highlight that may reward trainer Eoin Griffin’s patience.
The Last Derby was strongly fancied for the Galway Plate last July but struggled from the dip to finally finish eighth behind Finger Onthe Pulse.
Tony McCoy was at his brilliant best from the front on the winner on that occasion and Griffin reflected later: “The Plate was his summer target but the way it was run didn’t suit him. He just needs a strong, even gallop from the word go.”
That much was clear from a valuable success at Ascot last season over three miles and the combination of trip and good ground should be ideal for The Last Derby who can reward each-way support.
Dancing Tornado will be a strong fancy on his Kerry National second to Alfa Beat but that race again showed up the jumping frailties that have plagued Michael Hourigan’s runner.
Adrian Maguire has Golden Kite in the big race but will also be hoping Let Yourself Go can secure back-to-back victories in the Grade Three conditions chase.
The English raider Cornas is also back for a crack at the race but Maguire said yesterday: “Our horse goes well on fast ground, he won well last year and he likes the track so we’re hopeful. He’s in great form.”
St Nicholas Abbey’s absence from the Finale Stakes takes away some of the interest from the Curragh tomorrow but Aidan O’Brien will still hope to pick up the Listed pot with either Rain Forest or the Irish Oaks third Lady Lupus who should relish the step back up to a mile and a half.
She’s Our Mark concedes weight all round and with Danny Grant absent, Kevin Manning takes over in the saddle.
She can be tricky to win with however and a value alternative could be Dermot Weld’s Address Unknown.
Walk On Bye’s three-year-old career to date has been something of an anti-climax for a Group One-placed juvenile but first time blinkers could be useful to Tommy Stack’s filly in the Testimonial Stakes.
The juvenile fillies Listed contest includes a cross-channel raider in Mick Channon’s Bonita Star.
However Jim Bolger could be the one to secure this prize with Hurricane Havoc who made a winning debut at Roscommon last week.
There are four Ballydoyle horses scheduled to line up for the concluding mile maiden and although Long Live The King flopped at 2-5 on his second start at Gowran he may be worth another shot tomorrow.
Galianna poised to take advantage of suitable fast ground at Fairyhouse
JOHNNY MURTAGH and Pat Smullen both take a break from chasing the Irish jockey's championship today and travel to Ascot seeking Group Three glory, writes Brian O'Connor.
Murtagh teams up with Bewitched for Charles O'Brien in the Bengough Stakes, a race in which Smullen has been booked by Godolphin for Huntdown.
Smullen's other rides include Anadolu for Tracey Collins in the Cornwallis Stakes where his Irish weighing room colleague is on Marine Commando for Richard Fahey.
Fast ground is likely for today's home action at Fairyhouse and that should be no problem for Galianna in the opening mares' hurdle.
Ahorsecalledmolly ran fifth to Realt Dubh over two and a half miles at Navan last month but was running on in a style that suggests today's three miles in the Beginners Chase should suit.
