Blades of Glory up for Irish Cup meeting in Limerick

One of the most successful coursing seasons for many years comes to an end at Limerick Racecourse this weekend with the running of the three-day Irish Cup meeting, the opening session of which commences this morning (11am).

Two of the leading contenders - last year’s winner Needham Work and this year’s Kevin Smith Champion Stakes winner, Mulboy King, were withdrawn during the week but with a very strong entry and the more fancied contenders liberally distributed amongst the four quarters, it’s all to play for.

In the opening quarter Portrane All In, which ran-up for last season’s Derby should win his opening course against Call Up Pal but could then have a potential tough course against this year’s Champion Stakes runner-up Wizard Matthews next time to slips.

At the top of the second quarter Not Caught Yet, who ran up to Chubbys Charmer for the Premier Cup at Templetuohy this year and qualified for the Champion Stakes but did not run, is an interesting contender as is Kingsmill Jasper who stands out at the bottom of this sector.

The third quarter houses Needham Simple, who won the Irish Purse here last year. He can make his presence felt again while at the bottom of the quarter the battle between Somelittlestar and Serene Angel looks the course of the opening round. Of those below them Geordie Casanova, who won all aged stakes at Crohane & Killenaule and East Donegal is one to note.

The final quarter looks the most competitive and Jackie Murphy from Mallow was unlucky to have his two contenders both drawn in the bottom of this sector.

At the top of the quarter last year’s Derby winner Feel My Purse, Blueview Rio and Crafty Gonzalo look the principals while at the bottom of the sector Time James, Carrowkeal Gavin, beaten by Needham Simple in the final of the Plate last season, the long odd favourite, Blades of Glory, who ran up to Needham Work in the Cup last season and Carrowkeal Jonjo are the big names.

Overall it looks another tremendous Irish Cup on paper with the nod going to Blades of Glory to go one better than last year, with Not Caught Yet perhaps the one to oppose him in the decider.

Coursing this morning will commence at 11am