2.20pm Limerick Tips & Betting Preview 19/03/2017

A field of nine promising mares go to post for the second race of the day at Limerick on Sunday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Very promising in bumpers, KATE APPLEBY SHOES looked to be crying out for a longer trip when winning at Clonmel on her latest start, rallying gamely to take a narrow victory. Now up three furlongs in trip, she will be much happier and remains with huge amounts of potential in this sphere for Willie Mullins. The in form Paul Townend takes the ride and she looks likely to be tough to beat in this with much more expected at this sort of trip, though The Green Lady wont be going down without a fight after two great efforts the last twice.

1 DANALI – Point and bumper winner back in 2015 who won on her penultimate start at Gowarn Park in June (2m 4f, Good) in a big field maiden. She backed that up when a close fourth at Tipperary in August (3m, Good) and returns today off the back of a 215 day absence. If continuing to progress she’s likely to be a place contender on seasonal return but she is entitled to need this for John Walsh and Ambrose McCurtin. Others likelier for win purposes but not completely discounted.

2 KATE APPLEBY SHOES – Smart in bumpers and has been over timber the last thrice, screaming out for a longer trip when battling back gamely to win at Clonmel on her latest start in February (2m 2f, Heavy). Both her previous efforts and pedigree suggest she will improve markedly for going up in trip for Willie Mullins and will take a lot of beating if she translate her bumper form over this longer trip. Conditions to suit and a big run is expected under the in form Paul Townend, has to be respected.

3 MAGIC OF LIGHT – Bumper winner back in November who has something to find with a couple of these form her hurdling starts, though her latest second behind Ask Susan at Thurles was far from a disgrace (2m 7f, Soft to Heavy). That effort suggests she should be happier back down in trip but there is no reason as to why she should reverse form that rival in this. Conditions to suit and the in form Robbie Power takes the ride, but she looks to be fighting for places only in this.

4 MISS MARDAN – Overcame some novicey jumps at Navan in February including a horrendous error at the first to take victory (2m, Soft) and it was no surprise to see her out classed in listed company at Naas on her latest start last week. Up in trip which might suit but she needs more now in Grade 3 company, but she likely has more to offer in this sphere in time. Conditions will suit and she’s another likely to be fighting out the places. Deserves a second look.

5 THE GREEN LADY – Bumper winner who gained her first win over hurdles at Punchestown last month (2m 6f, Heavy) in identical conditions, comfortably coming clear on he run in for an eight length success. Perhaps going back down in trip didn’t suit when second at Fairyhouse on her latest start, but she still ran a good race nonetheless to finish second (2m 4f, Heavy). Still remains with potential in this sphere and has the assistance of Danny Mullins, so is likely to be heavily in involved for the in form Fahy yard. Has to be respected.

6 THE KINGS BABY – Has shown ability on all four of her hurdling runs but has heaps to find with Kate Appleby Shoes on their meeting at Clonmel last month, finishing a well beaten third and twenty lengths down (2m 2f, Heavy). Going up in trip should suit as a point to point winner but there is no reason for her to reverse the form with that rival who will likely take huge steps forward going up in trip too. Cnor Brassil takes the ride who is riding well at present but others make far more appeal and she can only be watched in this.

7 WEST BRIDGE – First time cheekpieces worked wonders on her penultimate start at Fairyhouse, albeit she was very fortunate to win as the second almost unseated at the last and came back to within a half length (2m 4f, Yielding). On that form, she holds Ask Susan to the tune of fifteenth lengths but she wasn’t so good at the same venue a week later, well beaten in Grade 3 company (2m 2f, Soft to Heavy). Perhaps this is easier and she does remain with scope for progress, but others do make more appeal at this trip. Possible place claims but she may just be vulnerable for win purposes.

8 ASK SUSAN – Highly tried since August with eleven starts since debuting at Tramoe in a bumper, though she posted a career best on her latest start when winning at Thurles in March (2m 7f, Soft to Heavy). She won well that day after not travelling the best form an early stage and likely has much more to give at the middle distances, as that was her first attempt at a trip beyond 2m 4f. First time cheekpieces are another positive and she looks a very likely contender for John Nicholson with Mark Enright taking the ride, so is respected.

9 PAHASKA – Showed ability in France but has shown little over hurdles for Gordon Elliott and her last three runs have been particularly poor, languishing in ninth in a much weaker race at Gowran Park last week (2m 4f, Soft to Heavy). On that evidence she’s impossible to fancy despite racing for powerful connections and others make far more appeal in this. Likely best left again.