Cromwell favouring Limerick for Gabynako

The potential field for Limerick's Grade 1 BoyleSports Faugheen Novice Chase features previous Grade 1 winners Beacon Edge, Ferny Hollow and Cheltenham Festival hero Vanillier who headline the 17 entries.

Horses such as Sir Des Champs, Outlander, Bellshill and of course Faugheen are dotted along the roll of honour for Sunday's feature and Vanillier's multiple Grade 1 winning trainer Gavin Cromwell is keeping his options open with the Drinmore Chase runner-up Gabynako also included.

Gabynako, who was narrowly denied by Beacon Edge in the Drinmore earlier this month, looks on course for a mouthwatering rematch with Beacon Edge following a late battle that provided one of the races of the season so far.

Speaking on Monday, Cromwell reported: “I would prefer to split them up if I can at all.

“Gabynako wasn’t beaten very far in the Drinmore over two and a half so the two and a half around Limerick certainly wouldn’t be a problem to him.

“We gave him a school on Tuesday and he jumped very well. In his beginners’ chase around Fairyhouse he was exceptionally good. He jumped well. He jumped well in the whole in the Drinmore but down over the last two he just made mistakes at the vital time that probably cost him the race.

“As for experience, at this time of the year, they have as much experience as any of them. Vanillier would appreciate three miles if the ground is safe enough and he’s a Grade 2 winner over fences so ideally he will go to Leopardstown with Gabynako going to Limerick.”

Henry de Bromhead will be hoping to end his historic year on a high over Christmas with the Waterford-based trainer eyeing up many of the festive Grade 1 prizes and his team at Limerick comprises of Minella Melody and Mr Incredible.

“Mr Incredible was a little bit disappointing in Newbury but he won a good beginners’ chase in Naas. He’s a nice horse who lacks a little bit of experience but he’s got good form so we could go for that. We could try him over that shorter trip and he won his maiden hurdle at Naas on heavy ground last winter if it turned testing but we’ll see closer to the time,” de Bromhead said.