Tintri worth waiting for in Bumper

LISS Na Tintri should prove well worth waiting for in the mares bumper at Limerick today.

John Kiely’s charge was the subject of favourable reports prior to making her racecourse debut at Navan recently, having missed an earlier engagement at Leopardstown.

And, a strong rival to previous winner Alexander Seaview in the market, the daughter of Presenting and high-class mare Liss A Paoraigh made a hugely encouraging debut, staying on in good style to get within a length and a quarter of Marlay Park.

The mount today of Katie Walsh, Liss Na Tintri should know more about her job and looks a good bet to open her account at the second attempt.

The only other appealing bet on the card is the Liam Burke-trained Grange Alainn, which has Immediate Response to beat in the St.Patrick’s Day Maiden Hurdle. Winner of a point-to-point at Dromahane in November, he finished a distant third to Sum Tzu at Thurles on his racecourse debut and returned their for his most recent outing, when a close third behind Herkel and Tawaagg.

The five-year-old must be considered an unlucky loser as his rider Kevin Coleman (on board again today) lost his reins on the run-in before his mount failed by a short-head and a neck. He has a good opportunity to make amends here.

At Naas, the exciting Joncol should confirm the favourable impression created over course and distance last month by landing the BBA Ireland Opera Hat Novice Chase under Cheltenham hero Ruby Walsh.

A massively-built, lightly-raced six-year-old recruit from ‘pointing’, Joncol has won his two starts over fences, wearing down Pesoto at Punchestown December before reappearing to win the Grade 2 Wooddlands Park 100 Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase over today’s course and distance last month.

Impressive in his ten lengths defeat of Good Fella, with Travino back in fifth on that occasion, Joncol is very highly regarded by trainer Paul Nolan, who believes he has plenty of gears. Although conceding weight to his six rivals, he shouldn’t be opposed.

Emma Jane, fourth in the ‘Thyestes’, has solid claims for Paul Townend in the three-mile Lucan Racing Leinster National.

Sports Line, also trained by Willie Mullins, and Noel Meade’s Corskeagh Royale look best in he novice hurdle, with slight preference for Ruby Walsh’s mount, a maiden winner at Punchestown and expected to prove more effective going left-handed.

Joncol’s stable-companion Moskova sets a fair standard in the Grade 3 Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase at Limerick tomorrow.