Jumps racing in Wales and Ireland

Once again, the Irish stage the better racing, with the Munster National at 17.25 CET the main event at Limerick. Many of the 16 runners were in action in the Kerry National at Listowel 25 days ago, where Questions Answered (Eric McNamara/ Robbie Power) finished second and Start Me Up (Charlie Swan/ Nina Carberry) third. We shall take a chance on Themoonandsixpence (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh), who was pulled up in that race on his first start for almost 2 years, but had looked a smart prospect earlier. Mullins and Walsh also have a good chance in the Grade Three novice hurdle at 16.25 with Zuzka. Ruby Walsh could well complete a hat-trick in the 3 main events of the day with Michael Hourigan´s False Economy in the Grade Three chase at 18.00. He gets 9 lbs from the top-rated Rathlin (Mouse Morris/ Andrew Lynch), and should also have a fitness advantage. Rivage d´Or (Dessie Hughes/ Davy Russell) looks the main danger.

The card at Ffos Las is modest by comparison. Our old friend Aviso (David Evans/Aidan Coleman), winner of the German 2,000 Guineas in 2007, reappears in the handicap chase at 15.50. He won easily enough last time, but is no longer well handicapped in our opinion and in addition races over a longer distance than ever before. The other German-bred in this race Ten Fires (Brendan Powell senior and junior) was previously trained in Ireland and is having his first race for 10 months; we would rather watch and see. A German-bred who could run well here is Adelar (Venetia Williams/ Coleman), a son of Samum, who runs in the handicap hurdle at 17.35. The most interesting runner at Ffos Las is Keppols Hill (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob), a top point-to-pointer making his debut under rules in the 3 mile novice chase at 17.00; he is regarded as a major prospect for the champion trainer, but will be at a very short price.