Preview: Leopardstown and Limerick on a big betting day Tiger Roll is among the past winners of Sunday’s Munster National which boasts a purse of €100,000 and trainer Gordon Elliott saddles a staggering eight of the thirteen runners in this year’s renewal. At Leopardstown on Sunday, Jessica Harrington’s Sprewell drops in grade as he contests the Listed Trigo Stakes back on ground he relishes, while the closing October Handicap is packed with intrigue. Enjoy the big betting races of the weekend in Ireland with €30 in free bets with bet365. 4.15 Limerick - Munster National Handicap Steeplechase (Grade 3) 3m This is set to be a real slog over three miles on heavy ground. Of Gordon Elliott’s eight, preference is for Jack Kennedy’s mount Frontal Assault. He has winning form on heavy ground and finished runner-up in the Irish National in 2022. Winless since October last year, he now looks to have dropped to a decent mark and can get back to winning ways. Defi Bleu was a decent third in April's Irish National and is another of Elliott’s to appreciate heavy conditions. Gavin Brouder takes 5 lbs off his back. Stablemate Gevrey finished second in the National but disappointed on his seasonal reappearance when pulling up. Mars Harper is seeking a hat-trick under Jordon Gainford having won at Listowel last time, for which he went up 8lb so this looks a much tougher task. Away from the Cullentra brigade, Joseph O'Brien's A Wave Of The Sea finished fourth in this race last year and off 6lb lower today, can make the frame. Despite disappointing last time, he ran well in Grade 3 contests through the summer, including the Galway Plate. 3.20 Leopardstown - Trigo Stakes (Listed) 1m2f Sprewell will relish the testing conditions as he takes a huge drop in class in this Listed contest over a mile and a quarter. The son of Churchill finished fourth in the Epsom Derby and sixth in the Irish Derby before finishing last in the Irish Champions Stakes - all on good ground. The return to softer conditions should really play to his strengths. Speaking after the stable's second double in two days at Navan this week, assistant trainer Kate Harrington said: "He'll love the ground (currently soft to heavy). "Bit of a recovery mission albeit he wasn't completely disgraced in the Irish Champion Stakes, just the ground was too quick for him. "It looks a very hot renewal of that Listed contest - normally in a Listed race you would be seeing horses in the 90s and I think they are all nearly rated over 100. It is a very competitive field, but it is a nice option for him. "He did a bit of work this morning and Shane was absolutely delighted with him. One of the obvious dangers is Layfayette, who is top-rated at 111. The Noel Meade-trained son of French Navy is a Group 3 winner and won’t make life easy for the favourite. 5.05 Leopardstown - October Handicap 1m4f Another who will appreciate the autumn conditions and a softer surface is Alexandroupolis for the Aidan O’Brien team. The son of Camelot drops in grade from Group 1 company to a handicap and should still be capable of seeing off his lower rated rivals. Smooth Tom could prove to be well handicapped, having dropped a couple of pounds since last seen on the flat. Andrew Slattery’s gelding struck over hurdles at Listowel last month and is worth an each-way play while he is in good heart. 18+ Please Gamble Responsibly. Begambleaware.org. Dunlewey.org.
