12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Floresta can land Limerick spoils for in-form Murtagh
There's a busy weekend ahead, with four meetings in Ireland, followed by two more doubles on Monday and Tuesday. Saturday afternoon's action is in Dundalk and Limerick and the nap goes to Floresta, who can continue Johnny Murtagh's fine run by taking the Limerick Median Auction Fillies' Maiden.
The Newtown Anner filly was fourth on debut, at Dundalk, and then third on her turf debut, in a Fairyhouse maiden won by Delta. On the latter occasion, racing from an impossible position, a long way off the slow pace, she flew home to take that spot, and the step up in trip can only help her find further improvement. She is a nice prospect and can take this en route to better things.
The top two in the ratings, Woodshaw Whisper and Waterford Flow, are the two to concentrate on in the finale, the Private Suites At Limerick Racecourse Handicap, and preference is for the former.
Ger Lyons' three-year-old was beaten favourite last time but the subsequent successes of the winner, Starford, and runner-up, Onemoredance, tell it was a huge effort to finish third while trying to give more than a stone to both.
The step up in trip is also a positive for a filly whose dam is a sister to some smart stayers, and with Nicola Burns taking 7lbs off her back, she can get straight back to winning ways.
Waterford Flow was well beaten but not disgraced in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot and will find this far less competitive.
Stepdance, winner of the Tramore Derby Handicap on Tuesday, will be hard to beat in her follow-up bid in the Panoramic Restaurant At Limerick Racecourse Apprentice Handicap.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare was ridden with unmistakable confidence when winning on Tuesday and looks as though she is still well treated off her current mark. It is likely to take a few more runs to find the ceiling of her ability.
In Dundalk, where the horse racing action leads to an evening of greyhound racing, which includes the Time Dundalk International, Lombardi Trophy can get off the mark in the Fairyways Hotel Dundalk Maiden.
The drop back in trip is what Donnacha O'Brien's colt needs and he can ensure Game Point's frustrating sequence of runner-up finishes continues.
Jessica Harrington's Spring Dance will be hard to beat in the Border Boutique Hire Fillies' Maiden, while Quickshot can wrap up proceedings by taking the Family Funday At Dundalk Friday 15 August Handicap.
Sunday's racing is of the much less interesting variety, but Red King has a great opportunity to get off the mark in the Navan Adventure Centre Apprentice Handicap.
Andy Oliver's three-year-old showed promise in three runs in his juvenile campaign but was below that level on his return to action. A little better second time up, he stepped up nicely for his most recent outing, when only picked off late by Happy Pharaoh. While he is dropping back in trip this time, if he runs to the same level, he will be hard to beat.
In Sligo, where the weekend's National Hunt action takes place, Spinning Web can carry top weight to victory in the Sligo Park Hotel Handicap Hurdle.
On Tuesday, Mags Mullins' five-year-old contested the Tramore Derby Handicap on the Flat. While she was beaten favourite, it was no disgrace to find only the unexposed and apparently very well handicapped Stepdance too good, particularly as she was conceding 9lbs to that rival.
Back over hurdles on what looks likes a manageable mark of 110, she can build on that fine effort at Tramore by winning here.
