Ruby Walsh: My thoughts on Limini, Melon and more on a big Saturday

Ruby's on two of the day's big fancies at Leopardstown...

Limerick 12:25

Voix des Tiep will be stronger of our two in this one.

Small Farm will want every yard of the distance, while Voix des Tiep is in good form. He has a bumper penalty to contend with, but he’s in good order and we’re hoping he can put in a good performance.

Leopardstown 12:45

Castlebawn West ran well in Clonmel carrying a penalty. He has a run under his belt and should be plenty fit, but it’s a step up going from a Clonmel maiden hurdle to a Leopardstown maiden hurdle.

Fingers crossed he’s able for that jump.

Limerick 13:00

Pravalaguna hasn’t run over fences. She ran at Killarney back in the summer and her work at home has been very good.

She’s a very good work mare, so it can often be hard to judge with horses like her, who work so well, how fit they really are. But she seems to be in good order.

Leopardstown 13:20

Limini had a good run behind Apple’s Jade in Fairyhouse. She was no match for Apple’s Jade but there’s no shame in that. She’s in good form and hopefully she’ll run a good race.

Elimay is probably the biggest danger to Limini. She’ll have a pretty high rating based on her French form. Good Thyne Tara is a consistent mare but is likely at her maximum.

Limerick 14:10

Dorrells Pierji and Pleasure Dome have been running all summer.

I thought Dorrells Pierji was very good at Galway on his last start, and Paul Townend thinks stepping up to 3m will really suit him, so he’s probably the stronger of our two there.

Leopardstown 14:30

Melon had a cracking run in last year’s Champion Hurdle, and he ran Buveur d’Air to the neck. It’s his first run of the season and he’s taking on Samcro, last year’s big novice who has two runs under his belt.

Bedrock, who beat Samcro at Down Royal, is also there, as is Sharjah, who won the Morgiana Hurdle and the Galway Hurdle. Supasundae runs as well, and has improved a lot.

So it could be a big ask for Melon. I don’t think Samcro showed up at all in Newcastle, and he’s probably the one we have to beat.

Buveur-D'air-beats-Samcro-at-Newcastle

Leopardstown 15:40

Mt Leinster was way too keen in his last start at Punchestown.

So we’ve fitted him with a hood, which will hopefully enable him to show his true colours.

Limerick 15:50

Castle North is a big-framed horse. He’s a hard one to get a handle on.

He’s fit and he’s well, but he’s more of a staying chaser.

Find the latest betting from Limerick and Leopardstown over at paddypower.com