Racecards
15:45 Limerick (IRE)
ConverMax Rated Novice Hurdle
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft to Heavy (Heavy in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €12,500 added
- Winner: €7,700
- 2nd: €2,388
- 3rd: €1,138
- 4th: €513
- Form 730P-6
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 113
rear of mid-division, 7th 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon no impression
- Form 449-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer J P O'Brien
- Jockey S A Shortall
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, improved to dispute lead before 2 out, soon ridden, led before last, bad mistake at last and headed, rallied to regain lead close home, stayed on well
- Form 89982
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer G P Cromwell
- Jockey G N Fox
towards rear, headway into 4th travelling well entering straight, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, soon no impression on leaders
- Form 521
- Age 4
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey D Robinson
tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression straight
- Form 5-74341
- Age 4
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 110
tracked leaders, pushed along briefly at 4th, under pressure 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
- Form 7-0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer A Lee
- Jockey C A Landers
mid-division, slight mistake 6th, ridden and weakened from 3 out
- Form 402501
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 104
led, ridden and joined before 2 out, headed before last, regained lead at last, soon strongly pressed, headed and no extra close home
- Form 0080-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer R O'Sullivan
- Jockey S G McDermott
held up in rear, some progress 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, never a factor
- Form 22-322
- Age 4
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 108
tracked leaders, 5th 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
Verdict
Killacolla defied novicey mistakes to score over the course and distance in November and doesn't look overburdened for his handicap debut, especially with his rider's claim to help. PUT THE KETTLE ON is another who appears to have got in lightly as she looked progressive at Navan and there looks plenty more to come. Free Ranger is rarely beaten far and looks certain to make his presence felt again from the bottom of the handicap but Veneziano Springs' recent victory was in a maiden chase. Western Sea has only won a couple of minor handicaps but the latest was on heavy going so conditions will suit while Smoking Gun defied a long absence to land a Clonmel maiden in very good style and has to be respected in a very tight-looking handicap.
Formwatch
Kerosin (GER) 7-2jfav (10-0) Held up, towards rear halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, stayed on into 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 7l behind Commander Won (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Smoking Gun (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, slightly hampered 2nd, 4th halfway, ridden into 2nd before 2 out, stayed on to press leader last, soon switched to inner and led run-in, kept on well closing stages, won at Clonmel 2m 1f mdn Yielding in Dec beating Makka Pakka (11-12) by 3l, 13 ran.
Ming Dynasty (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led briefly 4 out, headway travelling well to lead 2 out, headed last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Clementina (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Put The Kettle On (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Made all, pushed along and pressed 2 out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on close home, won at Navan 2m mdn gd in Nov beating Gypsy Island (11-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Killacolla (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, not fluent 4 out, improved to challenge before 2 out where not fluent and soon ridden, led narrowly before last and briefly joined run-in, kept on well to regain lead closing stages and soon asserted, won at Limerick 2m Yielding in Nov beating Guido Reni (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
A Girl Like Me (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Mid-division early, 11th after 3rd, kept on same pace straight, 13th of 19, 23 1/2l behind Ballyneety (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn gd in Nov.
Veneziano Springs (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Prominent and led before 8th, slight mistake 9th, joined after 3 out and mistake next, soon ridden and headed briefly last, edged left and kept on well run-in, asserted close home, won at Tramore 2m 5f hvy in Dec beating Cowboy Des Long (11-12) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Western Sea (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, headway next and soon challenged, jumped left and led last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Tramore 2m hcp hvy in Dec beating Lord Boru (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Free Ranger (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Led, pressed and joined before 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 14, 5 1/2l behind Aforementioned (11-4) at Limerick 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Nov.