Irish preview: Lieber Nicc can celebrate return in style at Clonmel
Henry de Bromhead trains the nap at Clonmel, Lieber Nicc. Picture: PA
Fifteen races, starting with the Flat racing action in Limerick and quickly followed by the National Hunt meeting in Clonmel, make for a busy day for Irish racing enthusiasts, and the nap across the two cards comes in the second race in Powerstown, where Lieber Nicc can get off the mark at the fourth time of asking.
Trained by Henry de Bromhead, he contests the Aisling Kennedy Memorial Maiden Hurdle, and this looks softer than his previous assignments. Brought down at the first on his hurdling debut, in a Navan maiden won by Jigoro, he then contested the Leopardstown maiden hurdle won by No Flies On Him and while he didn’t travel particularly kindly that day, he was beaten less than 11 lengths.
Last time out, he went one place closer but was no match for Argento Boy and Born Braver. The winner has struggled in Grade One races since that outing, but Born Braver, who hasn’t been campaigned quite as ambitiously, has given substance to the form by winning twice.
Lieber Nicc has been off the track for 110 days since that run but the better ground he will encounter today should help bring out the best in him, as should the step up to two miles and three furlongs. This doesn’t look like the strongest of races, and he can make the most of the opportunity. Ayiko’s form ties in quite closely with Lieber Nicc and he should reach the frame, while Storms End, Mount Anglseby and Muhtaluza are worth noting in the market.
In Limerick, where the racing gets underway at 1.30pm, Emerald Harmony could represent each-way value in the Ryans Cleaning Maiden.
Johnny Murtagh’s filly was unraced at two but made a most promising start this season when sixth of 18 in a five-furlong maiden won by Shandy. She wasn’t quite as good when finishing in the same spot at Navan, but she steps up to six and a half furlongs for this race and that can see her in better light. Murtagh has saddled four winners and six runners-up in the last ten days, and this filly can continue his fine run.
Fleur De Chine can get off the mark in the Ryans Cleaning Fillies’ & Mares’ Maiden. Quite well backed on her second start at two, she had to settle for third place in a maiden won by Azada, but it was a decent effort, nonetheless.
In mid-March she made her return to action and, having been sent off 9-4, it could be deemed disappointing that she finished only seventh, but there appeared to be mitigating factors. Her jockey reported that she took a false step and pulled up sore, and that looked to be the case as she hung badly to her right.
She has been given time since that run and returns with her stable in great form. She can make her own breakthrough at the expense of Kailasa, who ran with real promise on her only start to date.
4:55 Robinstown
5:30 Lieber Nicc (nap)
6:00 Whatyouwant
6:30 Flicker Of Hope
7:00 Ballycashin
7:30 Scar Bridge
8:00 She’s A Fine Wine
8:30 Cuckoo Valley
4:55 It could Be You
5:30 Ayiko
6:00 Tideways Hero
6:30 Tingarran Express
7:00 Charlies Pride
7:30 Kimy
8:00 Answering
8:30 Beaufort Scale
1:30 Emerald Harmony (nb)
2:05 Pinar Del Rio
2:35 Fleur De Chine
3:05 Private Officer
3:35 Judge Me Not
4:05 Cruden
4:38 Mayo For Sam
1:30 Marble Angel
2:05 Shawaamekh
2:35 Kailasa
3:05 Lord Church
3:35 Inner Success
4:05 Soul Of Spain
4:38 Forlio
