LIMERICK has attracted a quality entry of 78 for its staging of the 2023 Willwego.com Irish St. Leger, the opening round heats of which will take place this Saturday.
The classic carries a winners’ prize of €30,000.
The opening round has already thrown up some mouth-watering clashes.
Indeed, last year’s winner was the incredible Bobsleigh Dream and she shouldn’t have too many difficulties in negotiating her opening round assignment as she dons the blue jacket in heat ten. Of her rivals, Ballymac Walt is likely to be her main threat, however, Pat Buckley’s bitch should prove too sharp as she bids to defend her crown.
The stand-out heat of the opening round is without doubt heat eight as Swords Rex, Bens Teddy and Clonbrien Treaty all lock horns. The trio are certain to feature at the head of the outright betting and all three can ill-afford any slip-ups with the likes of Glengar Martha also amongst the opposition.
In heat two, Champion Stakes winner Trinity Junior will face hot opposition with the likes of De Gander Pen and Newinn Port, who are both fresh from incredible trial efforts, amongst the opposition, while recent 29.45 winner Deadly Jet should go close in heat three for trainer Michael O’Donovan.
Kennel companion Another Holiday will be another fancied to go deep into the competition and he is the likely favourite in heat five six, however, he will need to be at his sharpest against recent Derby finalist Music Glideaway.
Another standout heat is heat seven where Ballymac Finn, Ryhope Beach and Sober Glory are all penciled in against one another. The latter recorded a scarcely believable 28.37 .10s in a recent trial at Kilkenny and based on that, he looks very difficult to oppose.
In what looks another stacked St. Leger, the likes of Mr Chelm, Bockos Crystal and Gaytime Hugo, Romeo Hanzo, Ballymac Whispa, Hukum, Ballymac Marino and Droopys Bro are just some of the other huge names in action.
