Michael Kennedy (right) pictured after Smithscorner won at Galway last year© Photo Healy Racing
Following the cancellation of yesterday’s fixture at Gowran Park, Irish racing returns with an evening meeting at Limerick and an eight-race card gets underway at 4.20.
A notable feature of betting markets this morning has been the popularity of the Michael Kennedy-trained pair Tarqueens Glory and Supreme Joy in the two divisions of the Pallaskenry Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Tarqueens Glory has shown some promise in four previous outings including behind Royal Kahala in a Fairyhouse bumper and has been supported from 10/1 into less than half those odds, although she faces a tough rival in the shape of odds-on shot The Getaway Star
Supreme Joy didn’t show too much on her sole start in a Punchestown bumper last October but has been all the rage with the trainer’s brother Paddy Kennedy also aboard.
She has been slashed from as big as 25/1 down to 2/1 in a 2m3f event where Schone Aussicht looks the obvious threat. The latter won five times on the Flat in Germany and France, and showed promise in three hurdle outings last winter including when third to Roseys Hollow at Fairyhouse.
Willie and Danny Mullins have already notched up 11 winners apiece for the new National Hunt season and the pair combine again with likely favourite Baltic Moon in the Shanagolden Maiden Hurdle.
The lightly-raced gelding had just a couple of runs in Germany as a juvenile and was bought for 15,000 guineas by current connections in 2019. It will be interesting to see how strong he is in the market with the Denise Foster-trained pair Benbulben Boy and Pikaia some of the dangers in a modest event.
The champion trainer’s only other runner on the card is Champ Kiely in the Athea INH Flat Race. The Ocovango gelding was getting into contention when unseating rider three out on his only point start for Pat Doyle and has been popular in early betting exchanges.
The going is currently described as good, good to yielding in places, after a dry 24 hours. However, rain is forecast (6-8mm) from mid-morning and through the day.
