Graded races in Ireland

With Ffos Las abandoned, Carlisle stages the only racing in the U.K., but it is a fairly weak card, and as usual on a Sunday, the best racing comes from Ireland, where there are two graded races - both for mares- at Limerick. After Willie Mullins sent over 50 runners to Cheltenham last week- winning with a record 8 of them - one might think that he has no ammunition left, but in fact we think that he can win both these events, the novice hurdle at 15.55 CET with Lyrical Theatre and the novice chase at 17.00 with Vroom Vroom Mag. Both will be ridden by Ruby Walsh and are likely to start at odds on, but it is hard to see them being beaten. The Mullins/ Walsh team also has a chance with their only other runner here,Tarabiyn in the opening 4yo hurdle at15.25, but here we prefer Chatham House Rule (Gordon Elliott/ Davy Condon).

Mullins can also score at the other Irish meeting with Vedetarriat at 17.15 at Navan, although Fine Article (Paul Nolan/ Mikey Fogarty) looks a tough opponent, and Townend can double up here with Tony Martin´s Heathfield half an hour later.

At Carlisle we shall take a chance on Tutchec (Nicky Roichards/ Brian Harding) in the main evemt, a staying handicap chase at 17.05. Although he was pulled up the last twice, he has an excellent course record, was third in this race last year and is now much better handicapped. Richard and Harding should also take the novice chase an hour earlier on Duke of Navan, who can reverse placings with Just Cameron on better terms