Head Turner steps up for Limerick Grade Two test Pat Fahy is hopeful Head Turner can pick up some valuable black type when she lines up in the Charleville EBF Mares' Novice Chase at Limerick today. The seven-year-old may be the lowest-rated of the five runners in the Grade Two contest, but with prize money another incentive as it goes all the way down to those that complete the two-and-three-quarter-mile course, the Co Carlow trainer thinks it is definitely a prize worth going for. His main concern is the prospect of testing conditions but at least Head Turner has won over the course. "I'd be worried the two-mile-six might be stretching it a bit for her on that ground but we'll just take it as it comes," said Fahy. "She's won around Limerick on soft and if the race falls our way we'll take it. She's good and seems fine. "Getting some black type would be good for the mare. I feel there's a chance she could get some." The likely hot favourite for top honours is Dineria Des Obeaux. The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old has already won at this level and was third at Naas on her latest start behind Benie Des Dieux, who was on target at the Cheltenham Festival this week. Willie Mullins saddles Kate Appleby Shoes who was only fourth to Dineria Des Obeaux at Thurles and fell there on her only other start since. Robert Tyner's West Bridge and Youcantcallherthat, ridden and trained by Denis Hogan, complete the quintet. The Mullins team have a leading contender in the shape of Court Artist in the Grade Three Kerry Group EBF Shannon Spray Mares' Novice Hurdle,also over two and three-quarter miles. Her run at Leopardstown last time was too bad to be true and connections feel she has sound claims on her previous effort at Haydock. James Fenton, racing manager for owners Blue Blood Racing, said: "We're expecting her to improve and on her form she deserves to take her chance in a race like this. "She ran a very good race in Haydock behind Cap Soleil, who ran second to Laurina in Cheltenham on Thursday. "It wasn't her true running in Leopardstown the last day, we're just putting a line through that. "I think the step up in trip will suit her and the ground won't inhibit her at all. "She's a terribly good mare and while it's a Grade Three race and you don't expect to get anything easy, we're confident she'll run well and it would be great if she can get some more black type." Mullins has a second string to his bow in Redhotfillypeppers, who got off the mark over hurdles at Punchestown last month. A big danger to the Mullins duo is Jessica Harrington's Alletrix, who was runner-up to Laurina at Fairyhouse in January and has finished first and second in two runs after that. Among others with chances in an open 12-runner contest include Elliott's hat-trick seeking Lackaneen Leader and the John Kiely-trained Just Janice, who lifted a Grade Three race at Down Royal in November.
