Sesk Appeals At Limerick

Duke Street ran a lovely race earlier, and 3f out he looked to be travelling best of all as he moved into the lead. A mistake at the last checked his momentum but he kept on well to grab 4th, rewarding each way support. He will definitely be suited by stepping up in trip and he is capable of making his mark in some valuable handicaps on decent ground off his current rating.

Seskinane is handicapped to run well at Limerick.

Today I am going to chance one for small stakes each way at Limerick, and I think Seskinane could be set to return to form in the 2m 5f handicap at 3.25. He was beaten just half a length in this contest on similar ground last year off a mark of 113, and he gets in off 111 on Sunday. He has to bounce back from three poor runs so far this season, but he seems to come alive at this time of the year.

The 11yo son of Imperial Ballet is not getting any younger, but I don’t think his trainer would be persisting with him unless he thought he was capable of adding to his maiden hurdle win. He was first past the post in a Sligo handicap back in 2013 off 116, but he was demoted due to dangerous riding. He followed up his good run here last year with another fine effort at Navan off 116, and he was put away after that run.

He returned to action off that mark of 116 at Cork and he was entitled to need that comeback run. He was then run over 24f here, but that trip stretches him and he was unsurprisingly well beaten. Seskinane then headed for Gowran where he was held up  and posted wide the whole way around, strange tactics to employ with a horse whose best form has come when racing prominently from the get go.

Every cloud has a silver lining though, and Seskinane returns for a repeat bid in this race off a career low mark of 111. McMahon produced stable star Powersbomb in tip top shape to finish fourth at the festival, and hopefully Seskinane is in similar form tomorrow. The first time blinkers will hopefully perk him up, and if 7lb claimer Gary Noonan can get away to a decent start I think Seskinane could outrun his odds of 28/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 3.25 LIMERICK-SESKINANE E/W @ 28/1