Seven races to look forward to on Munster National day at Limerick on Sunday. Former jumps jockey Paul Callaghan has you covered with a selection for each race.
LIMERICK TIPS
- 14:00 Brickfield Belle
- 14:30 Approval
- 15:00 Way Down South
- 15:30 Duce Bigalow
- 16:00 Iceberg Theory
- 16:30 Miners Bridge
- 17:00 Echoing Silence
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14:00 2m½f (2m125y) PwC Mares Maiden Hurdle (4yo+)
Brickfield Belle ran out a comfortable winner of a Mares Bumper on soft ground at Galway when last seen. Travelling strongly under jockey John Gleeson, Brickfield Belle took closer order on the leader entering the dip, and when asked to quicken rounding the turn for home, it was plain sailing from there on for the Henry De Bromhead-trained mare. The second home, Baymount, has won since.
Kimi De Mai is the obvious danger, and any market support for Jury Time should be noted, but I think Brickfield Belle will take the beating in the hands of jockey Darragh O’Keeffe.
Selection: Brickfield Belle
14:30 2m½f (2m125y) Irish Wire Products (C & G) Maiden Hurdle (4yo+)
In what looks an ordinary Maiden Hurdle, a chance is taken on the Eric McNamara trained Approval, who has the benefit of four runs over hurdles and fitness on his side.
The selection was no match for Love Me Tender, when finishing second at Listowel last time out, but the third home, Bud Fox, won a bumper at the Punchestown Festival last year, and fourth home, Tyson Fury, ran out a game winner at Dundalk on Friday evening.
Selection: Approval
15:00 2m3½f (2m3f92y) Limerick Show Handicap Hurdle (3yo+)
Way Down South ran out a comfortable winner when registering his second victory under rules at Tramore recently, and a chance is taken that the Gillian Scott trained gelding can follow up here, in the hands of Daniel King.
He’s a fine big horse who has shown promise in the past. He won his maiden hurdle over course and distance at the end of 2024. Hopefully, that win last time out will restore confidence, and he can score again here.
Selection: Way Down South
15:30 3m John Thomas McNamara Series (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle (4yo+)
The Colm Ryan-trained Duce Bigalow is a solid selection, having finished third over 2m 4f at Roscommon last time out. A comfortable winner over 3 miles at Down Royal last April, Duce Bigalow has the assistance of talented amateur jockey Lee Shanahan and carries a handy weight of 10st 11lbs.
Selection: Duce Bigalow
16:00 3m JT McNamara Munster National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (4yo+)
Iceberg Theory stayed on strongly to win a Beginners Chase over an extended 2m 6f here at Limerick in May of last year. He followed that up with another impressive performance when winning a Handicap Chase over 2m 5f at Cork.
Iceberg Theory ran okay in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Held up, it looked like he might stay on for a place on the run down the hill before tiring on the landing side of the second last fence. He was pulled up at the Punchestown Festival on his final start last season.
Iceberg Theory has a good record when fresh and has a light weight of 10st 4lbs.
At a price, Will Do should give each-way supporters a good run for their money. He finished third in a Beginners Chase at Listowel when last seen. He has a handy weight of 10st 4lbs, and jockey Eoghan Finnegan claims a further 5lbs, which could see him staying on for minor honours.
Selection: Iceberg Theory
16:30 2m3½f (2m3f125y) STL Logistics Handicap Chase (4yo+)
Miners Bridge created a very favourable impression when opening up his account over fences at Killarney in August. The trip that day was 2m 5f. He was equally effective over the extended 2m 1f trip at Sligo last time out.
Miners Bridge is a gorgeous son of Mahler, who seems to enjoy his chasing. He’s obviously had his problems, given that he is a 9-year-old and this is only his fourteenth career start.
I think he’s better operating beyond 2 miles, and I hope he can continue on the upward trajectory for trainer Sam Curling and jockey Philip Enright.
Selection: Miners Bridge
17:00 2m3½f (2m3f125y) Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase (4yo+)
Echoing Silence fulfilled the promise shown in bumpers, with victory in a Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Cork almost 12 months ago. She followed up in Listed company on her next start, and although she found life tough in Graded company on her last two outings at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals respectively, I think Echoing Silence can open up her account over fences at the first time of asking.
Trained by Henry De Bromhead, the daughter of Doyen won a point-to-point at Ballycahane and that experience should stand to her on her chasing debut.
Selection: Echoing Silence
Sunday’s Limerick Tips
- 14:00 Brickfield Belle
- 14:30 Approval
- 15:00 Way Down South
- 15:30 Duce Bigalow
- 16:00 Iceberg Theory
- 16:30 Miners Bridge
- 17:00 Echoing Silence
