Places bids to star in Limerick Grade One-placed Allblak Des Places takes his initial steps into all-aged company when he contests the Signsplus Hurdle at Limerick. Paul Townend will don the Hurricane Fly silks of George Creighton on the Willie Mullins-trained four-year-old, who has his first outing for 324 days as he tries two and a half miles for the first time. With an official rating of 142 to his name, Allblak Des Places should take a bit of beating on form such as his two-and-three-quarter-length second to stable companion Footpad in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown. The former French runner had big names such as Ivanovich Gorbatov, Jer's Girl and Rashaan in arrears on that occasion and has got scope for progression as he's only had four races to date. Almost certain to head the market, Mullins' charge receives 4Ib from his five older rivals. It could be that his fellow four-year-old Runfordave (Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy) proves the most troublesome opponent. County Cork native Townend had a four-timer at his local track recently, and his many followers on the Munster circuit could be in clover again by following the former champion on this programme. He partners Bellshill for Mullins in the Grade Two Shannon Airport Novice Chase and his other mount for Closutton, Bravissimo, looks a likely sort in the FutureTicketing.ie Maiden Hurdle. This is a good race, though, and the French-import - third at Pau over two years ago - will need to be useful to cope with Champagne Classic, Without Limites and company. On that aforementioned Cork card, Townend prevailed aboard Adrian Maguire's Knockraha Pylon, who could follow up in the O'Kelly Brothers Demolition Mares Handicap Hurdle. Her owners the O'Donoghue family combine with Maguire and Townend half an hour later as well as Knockraha Boss does battle in the Mr. Binman Handicap Chase. A second placing last time out should see him poised to challenge strongly again now.
