Townend on the Bridle at Limerick The four-runner Christmas Racing Festival 26th-29th Hurdle is one of the most appealing contests at Limerick, with Willie Mullins two-handed in the conditions event. Of the Closutton pair, Shamar holds the edge on official ratings with a mark of 132, 1Ib superior to Lucky Bridle. Ruby Walsh is at Navan and Paul Townend chooses to take the mount on Lucky Bridle, who receives 5Ib from Shamar, which tips the balance in favour of the Graham Wylie-owned hope. Although Paul Nolan's representative Theatre Mill is a course winner, he may be ideally served by top of the ground, while Wrong Turn is a useful chaser, but this is hardly going to be an adequate test (two miles) for him. Perhaps it's a little surprising to see Willie Mullins without a runner in the bumper, but the Glenview & Rathbarry Stud Mares Ladies Flat Race will see at least two nice young prospects do battle. Robert Tyner will give Katie Walsh the leg-up on his consistent performer Table Tips, but the daughter of Milan must concede 10Ib to Side Saddle when her partner Aine O'Connor's claim is taken into account. Despite the obvious claims of Table Tips, Side Saddle has plenty going for her on paper. Firstly she is a half-sister to the 2009 bet365 Gold Cup hero Hennessy, and more importantly, her own-sister, Voler La Vedette, won no less than 13 races including at Grade One level. She also memorably finished second in the World Hurdle to Big Buck's at Cheltenham in 2012. Side Saddle herself made a nice start at Fairyhouse over timber 30 days back, when fifth behind The Herds Garden. It wouldn't be the first time trainer Dessie Hughes successfully brought one of his charges back from the jumping arena to contest a bumper, and her movements in the betting should reveal plenty. Another with a famous relative, Kauto Star's half-brother Kauto Grand Mogul, must have every chance as the previous victor at Limerick begins over hurdles in the 2.10.
