Hangover can be cure for punters
Sunday December 27 2009
LIMERICK had a spate of non-runners yesterday and officials will be frustrated if the same scenario arises this afternoon.
Their feature is the Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Steeplechase, with Larkwing a fascinating runner off a mark of 116. He was far better than that over hurdles but has been very disappointing as a chaser.
Many at the track today will fancy a punt on Hangover for possibly dubious reasons, but Conor O'Dwyer's Presenting-bred is potentially well-treated off 123. He was a hurdling winner at Limerick and has taken well to fences, generally jumping fluently on his three starts. Strong market support for the seven-year-old would be no surprise.
Beckett Rock, which was second to Hangover at Thurles, could be vulnerable again in a hot beginners' chase. The Midnight Club was a very smart staying hurdler and, while his chasing introduction was somewhat nondescript, it is far too early to write him off.
Quadrillon may be worth opposing in the GGL Security Hurdle, as he looked either lazy or a stayer in the making when winning at Mallow on his jumps debut. Magnanimity was quite a cosy victor at the expense of the well-regarded Lucky William at Navan and is preferred under Roger Loughran. Rubi Light shaped on his debut for Robbie Hennessy as though he would progress from the outing and has an each-way chance.
Rookie trainer Denis Cullen has ridden Better Times to both of his successes in bumpers and the son of Lord Americo does not have much to beat in the opening race.
At Down Royal, Falcon Island can get Northern backers off to a winning start having showed up well lately at Navan, the form having been boosted since.
The Hard Hat should go close in the two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle. Colm Murphy's five-year-old excelled himself on his debut over three weeks ago and his price that day implied that he should have progressed from the outing.
Both of the handicaps are moderate contests. Two shrewd trainers, Fran Flood and Tony Martin, have unexposed runners in Take A Shot and Saddlers Storm that will prompt caution from the layers.
Good Luck Chuck is much better than his flop at Navan earlier this month and has each-way potential in the beginners' chase. Agus A Vic is likely to be the shortest-priced favourite of the card in the hunters' chase, while Lean Times ought to be thereabouts in the bumper.
SELECTIONS
Limerick: 12.35 Better Times 1.05 Magnanimity 1.35 The Flying Dustman 2.10 Watt A Diva 2.45 Special Token 3.20 Hangover 3.50 The Midnight Club.
Down Royal: 12.25 Falcon Island 12.55 The Hard Hat 1.25 Take A Shot 2.0 Good Luck Chuck 2.30 Saddlers Storm 3.0 Agus A Vic 3.30 Lean Times.
- JOHNNY WARD
Originally published in
