Limerick test will suit Oscar's Advance

Limerick preview: The JP McManus team have yet to play a significant hand at Leopardstown this week but the famous green and…

Limerick preview: The JP McManus team have yet to play a significant hand at Leopardstown this week but the famous green and gold colours could collect today's Limerick feature on board Oscar's Advance.

The Christy Roche-trained horse is on a hat-trick after scoring at both Punchestown and Thurles, and if those victories told us anything it was that the two-and-three-quarter miles of this afternoon's Ladbrokes.ie Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle will be ideal.

Extremely testing conditions shouldn't be a problem either - something that definitely cannot be said for some of those lining up for the Grade Three contest.

The form of Noel Meade's horses makes the presence of the Gowran-winning four-year-old Marbeuf at the bottom of the weights look significant, but a test of stamina and guts will suit Oscar's Advance.

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Meade has a major bumper contender at Leopardstown in the form of Major Stampi yet jockey Nina Carberry travels south for the concluding ladies' race, where Cavallo Classico now looks a very interesting prospect.

Another trainer in form is Willie Mullins, and he looks to have found a good opportunity for the former high-class hurdler Sunami Storm in the mares Beginners Chase.

Sunami Storm started favourite for her race at Clonmel last month but had to settle for third behind Court Leader. The experience will stand her in good stead for today's task.John Murphy travels from his Co Cork yard for the opening three-year-old maiden hurdle and looks to have the goods to make the journey back seem shorter with Night Bridge.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column