Gordon Elliott will hope Zanahiyr can establish himself as a Champion Hurdle contender in Leopardstown's Grade One on Wednesday and the top trainer may have similar ambitions at Limerick, , a meeting that faces a 7.30am precautionary inspection.
He runs Teahuppo in the Grade Two Boylesports Sporting Limerick Hurdle, a race won in 2018 by Espoir D’allen en-route to Champion Hurdle glory the following March.
Half a dozen four-year-olds line up this time, including the ex Elliott-trained Triumph Hurdle scorer Quilixios.
Although it is widely accepted the previous season’s four-year-old crop have it tough against older rivals, it didn’t stop Espoir D’allen and Teahuppo could yet prove to be a championship dark-horse.
He dismissed Quilixios with ease on their reappearances in Naas last month, a performance that saw Teahuppo cut to a general 25-1 for Cheltenham.
His form last season indicates heavy ground conditions won’t be any trouble and another impressive display now could see those Champion Hurdle odds cut.
The rest of Limerick’s final day festival card includes Earths Furies trying to double up in a novice handicap chase. Eugene O’Sullivan’s charge scored here on St Stephen’s Day when staying on strongly in the closing stages over two and a half miles. That suggests an extra quarter mile will suit and Earths Furies can defy his 5lb penalty.
Womalko has a first run for owner JP McManus in the concluding handicap hurdle on the back of a second at Cork last time when just failing to land a gamble.
Lake Chad won at the track last month but failed to fire in two quick follow-ups. Heavy ground won't be a problem for the Philip Fenton runner in a novice hurdle.
