Rare match race as disappointing turnout hands Brazil a golden opportunity

Thursday: 1.30 Limerick
Coolmore NH Sires Kew Gardens Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m | 4yo | RTE2/RTV

A race that at its entry stage had the likes of Vauban, Pied Piper, Gaelic Warrior, Icare Allen and Irish Point has ended up in an unexpected match – the first two-horse race at declaration stage in Ireland for a decade.

There have been nine match races across the last ten years, but all bar Annie Power's Listowel festival bumper win in 2012 came as a result of non-runners from the initial declared fields.

Vauban and Pied Piper tackling the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown, and four other entries opting to bypass the final day of Limerick's Christmas festival, has paved the way for a private duel between last season's Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle winner Brazil and promising maiden hurdle winner No Looking Back.

Brazil (green cap with white star): winner of the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham in MarchCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

It is not the first time there has been a disappointing turnout for this Grade 2, which was won in 2018 by Champion Hurdle winner Espoir D'Allen.

Just three lined up for the 2m event in 2016 when 2-5 shot Missy Tata obliged, and four took part in the 2014 and 2017 runnings. Only once since the race was awarded black-type status in 2014 have there been more than six runners.

Brazil's trainer Padraig Roche was surprised by this year's small field but is happy with the wellbeing of his recent Grade 3 Fishery Lane Hurdle scorer.

"It wasn't what you would have been expecting but I'm not going to complain," he said. "He seems in good form and hopefully he can put in a clear round and a nice performance. He was good last time at Naas and we're looking forward to seeing him out again."

Oliver McKiernan has not been afraid to pitch his runners in at the deep end this Christmas to earn prize-money in small-field Graded contests.

No Looking Back: has won two of his three starts for trainer Oliver McKiernanCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

No Looking Back, who cost €32,000 last year, would earn €7,300 for finishing second to Brazil, while an upset would be worth €21,900 to connections.

A debut bumper winner at Thurles who had little luck in running when fourth in the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper, he impressed when beating the 121-rated Innatendue at Thurles four weeks ago.

Thursday's task represents a big step up in class and McKiernan said: "He's taking on a much more experienced horse but it's a two-horse race so we'll pick up whatever is there for us. We do think our horse is a nice type for the future.

"The lads in the yard tell me he'll handle soft ground, being by Kingston Hill, and it'll be an education for us as well to see how he travels around against a horse like Brazil."

Brazil's rider Mark Walsh makes his first trip to Limerick this Christmas for three strong chances on JP McManus contenders.

Splashing Out, runner-up to Royal Bond second Irish Point in a Cork maiden hurdle last month, could be a big player in the 2m Racing TV Rated Novice Hurdle run in memory of Andrew McNamara (2.05).

Earlier on the card, the Robert Tyner-trained Sir Bob, who won at Punchestown ten days ago, should play a leading role for the same rider and owner in the 2m6½f Ryans Cleaning Event Specialists Veterans Handicap Chase (12.20).

Read Thursday's previews:

1.10 Leopardstown: Mares' Hurdle runner-up Queens Brook out to book her festival ticket in style

1.45 Leopardstown: National Hunt Chase favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil the one to beat in Grade 1 test

2.20 Leopardstown: State Man v Sharjah v Vauban - who comes out on top in a magic Matheson?

2.40 Doncaster: can Gesskille make amends after twice finishing second over the National fences?

3.10 Doncaster: 'This is her season's target' - who's in hot pursuit of the £75,000 Silver Vase?

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