Limerick looks like getting a welcome, uninterrupted run through its four days this Christmas and the local trainers look like making that pay.
Patrickswell-based Michael Hourigan's main Christmas priority will be Dorans Pride's appearance in Monday's Ericsson at Leopardstown, but Saturday's £15,000, Grade Three Murphys Irish Stout Novice Chase is a valuable pot in its own right, and Hourigan looks to have the necessary goods in Inis Cara.
Hourigan believed at one stage last season that Inis Cara would be good enough to challenge for a Cheltenham festival handicap. He missed out on that, but the long term for Inis Cara was always going to be as a staying chaser.
Wins at Gowran and Fairy house confirmed that view, and there was no disgrace in his third to the high-class Promalee and Foxchapel King in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse a month ago.
Inis Cara has to give weight away to some decent sorts, including Ferbet Junior, who won at Cork recently, and the pair of Puget Blue and Palette, who dead-heated a length behind him. Palette could emerge as the best of that trio this time, but Inis Cara looks a natural for this game and is the selection.
Hourigan can also land the Bank of Ireland Handicap Hurdle with Dromhale Lady now that the mare is running over this trip. Runner-up to the impressive Lady Rebecca over two miles and five at Cheltenham, Dromhale Lady then ran a decent fifth to the progressive Limestone Lad over two miles at Naas.
The likes of Blackburn, Hazerfen and Digital Signal are rugged stayers, but Dromhale Lady is expected to have just too much finishing kick for them.
Another local trainer that can score on the double is Kilmallock's Andrew McNamara. Daraheen Chief is very much the apple of McNamara's eye despite not having won since Listowel. On that occasion he absolutely sluiced in on soft conditions, and Daraheen Chief should get circumstances favouring him again here.
Daraheen Chief may not frighten the opposition as he might have last September, but he had a valid excuse last time, finishing lame when third to Clash Of The Gales at Clonmel, and can take care of the frustrating Pas Possible and Arthur Moore's Northern Galaxy. McNamara's King's Tipp disappointed behind Hillcrest Manor at Punchestown, but previously was a good third to Wonder Will He and can take the bumper, while Rathkale's Eric McNamara looks good for the opener with the bumper winner What's Up Boys.
In the circumstances, Cork-based John-Joe Walsh may feel a bit isolated, but Wild Zing has enough of a chance in the two mile handicap hurdle to cheer him up.
