Weight hike worries McNamara

Eric McNamara is worried Ponmeoath's hike in the ratings could scupper his chances of following up a recent Listowel success in the ladbrokes.com National Handicap Chase at Limerick tomorrow.

The seven-year-old has gone up 9lb following his one-length victory over Ballycullen Boy in the Kerry National last month.

"He's in great shape. He'll run on Sunday and we'll just hope for the best," said McNamara, whose yard at Rathkeale is just 12 miles from the track.

"It won't be easy. We've gone up 9lb which was plenty, but we are going there and take our chance.

"We've got nothing to lose and we'll just hope for the best."

Ballyagran, third to Ponmeoath at Listowel, is one of two runners from Noel Meade's stable.

"Ballyagran has already run twice. He likes summer ground and that is what it will probably be," said Meade.

"Paul (Carberry) has picked him. He's in good shape and I'm happy with him."

Meade has booked Barry Geraghty for Whataboutya.

"The other horse is in good form too," added the trainer.

"He's a novice and Barry rode him early on in his first run over fences so he's taking over on Sunday."

Liam Burke is worried about Galway Plate winner Sir Frederick being burdened with top weight in the three-mile test.

"He's in good order and I expect a good run out of him, but he's ended up with top weight which I don't like," said the Mallow trainer. "He is back to form now. I shouldn't have run him at Tralee as the ground was soft. The ground should be better for him this time."

n A daughter of Coolmore stallion Sadler's Wells has smashed the world record price paid for a yearling filly at the Betfair Tattersalls October Yearling Sales at Newmarket.

The filly was purchased by Craig Bennett for 2.5 million guineas and is a full sister to Sequoyah and Listen. Bloodstock agent Charlie Gordon-Watson, who bought the filly on Bennett's behalf, said: "He is a man on a mission and knows what he wants. He's very positive and very organised and is looking forward to this new recruit."

The price eclipses the previous record of 2.4 million paid for a daughter of Storm Cat at Keeneland in 2000.