Urban Rebel can confirm his potential

Limerick Preview/Charlie Swan at Limerick:Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary will be focusing his attention on the Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition at Leopardstown tomorrow but the top owner also looks to have a reasonable chance of securing today's main Limerick event with his novice Urban Rebel.

The five-year-old will be the youngest runner in the €45,000 Tim Duggan Handicap Chase and although it will be just Urban Rebel's fourth start over fences, he could still take a bit of catching if getting his own way.

Jack Doyle will ride the horse for his father, the Holycross trainer Pat Doyle, and the return to a two-and-a-half mile trip, over which Urban Rebel won his first chase, should suit.

Two runs since, at Galway and Cork, were comparatively disappointing but Urban Rebel gets the guts of a stone from the Troytown third On The Net while both Bailey Breeze and Practice Match are returning from absences.

Tom Taaffe sends Merdeka south for the Beginners Chase and the Straffan trainer looks to have found an ideal opportunity for the horse to break his duck over fences.

Merdeka hit the deck on his first chase start at Down Royal and it wasn't too surprising then that he didn't jump particularly smoothly at Fairyhouse after that when runner-up to Sir Frederick.

He should have had his confidence boosted by getting round and the opposition today doesn't look particularly intimidating.

Freds Benefit had a tough race at Gowran Park on his last start when third to Bridge Run and Clarkey on very testing ground.

The surface shouldn't be that bad this afternoon and the class that had Willie Mullins's horse take his chance in last season's Cheltenham bumper can come to the fore in the opening maiden hurdle.

The Girlfriend has finished third on her three starts to date but the balance of that form gives her a big shout in the bumper while in the Roches Feeds Handicap Hurdle the topweight Pearl's A Singer can defy a 4lb hike in the ratings for a course and distance win last time .

Patsy Bee landed the conditions hurdle 12 months ago but will do well to repeat that victory with both Gripit N Tipit and You Sir in the field.

Slight preference is for Charlie Swan's runner.

I run three horses at Limerick and Gripit N Tipit (1.10) could be the best of them.

The ground looks a bit gluey down there but that shouldn't bother my horse.

You Sir will be hard to beat but I think we have a great chance.

Over The First (2.50) has a harder Job against On The Net and Practice Match but he's in very good form and could run into a place.

Bemorespecial (3.50) was pulled up in her first race and basically we're just hoping for better.

The Girlfriend looks a more likely winner.