Munster tester for McNamara

Robbie Power: Rides Questions Answered

Kerry National runner-up Questions Answered aims to go one place better in a wide-open Ladbrokes Munster National at Limerick on Sunday.

The seven-year-old was considered a major contender for last month's Listowel feature, but trainer Eric McNamara instead saw his lesser-fancied stablemate Faltering Fullback run out a surprise winner.

Questions Answered still ran a highly creditable race and with ground likely to be similarly testing this weekend, McNamara is anticipating a bold show.

"He seems to have been in particularly good form since Listowel. He's in great shape," said the trainer.

"We fancied this fellow more than the other horse in the Kerry National, but that's racing. Faltering Fullback came back to form and won well on the day.

"He'll handle the ground, he'll get the trip, he has a nice racing weight and a good jockey (Robbie Power), so there are a lot of plusses.

"It's just a question of whether he's good enough on the day. He went up 6lb for his last run, which doesn't help.

"That last run was his first chase for a long time, so you'd hope he might have improved a bit."

Strong Hand

Leading owners Gigginstown House Stud head into the race with a strong hand of three runners.

Retained jockey Davy Russell has opted to ride Michael Hourigan-trained top-weight Mr Cracker, who has form at Grade One level but has been sidelined since April of last year.

"He hasn't run for a year and a half and he's had his problems, but it's great to have him back," said Hourigan.

"Hopefully he'll run all right but having been off so long, he'll obviously take the run."

The Gigginstown colours are also carried by Four Commanders and Start Me Up.

Four Commanders was pulled up when favourite for the Irish Grand National in the spring, but previously ran an excellent third in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Mouse Morris said: "He didn't run up to his best in the Irish National but that was after a long season and he's in good form now.

"He normally runs well when he's fresh, so we're just hoping for a bit of luck."

Start Me Up was third in the Kerry National last time, with Nina Carberry taking over in the saddle from Russell.

"I'm hoping he'll run a good race. Davy didn't pick him, though. That's the only thing I'm a bit worried about," said trainer Charlie Swan.

"But Nina rode him in the Kim Muir and won three bumpers on him as well.

"The ground will be fine and he seems to be back to his best, so fingers crossed."

Extremely Well

Adrian Maguire reports Golden Kite "extremely well" as the veteran aims to regain his crown.

Having spent the best part of a year on the sidelines with injury, the 10-year-old made the perfect return when winning over hurdles at Galway a month ago.

He reverts to the larger obstacles on the same mark off which he won this prestigious prize two years ago, and his trainer is confident of a bold show.

"He's very well and we're hoping for a big run," said Maguire.

"I was hoping he'd run a big race the last day, but I was surprised with how he handled the ground.

"It's well documented he likes good, quick ground, but then he won on soft in Galway, so we'll see.

"We've kept this race in mind for him since last season, he's extremely well and we're looking forward to him running."

Liberty Counsel is an interesting contender for County Westmeath handler Dot Love.

The nine-year-old mare won comfortably on her latest start over fences at Kilbeggan and warmed up for this weekend's race with a fair third over hurdles at Gowran Park.

Love's assistant, Ciaran Murphy, said: "The ground wouldn't be ideal for her but she ran a cracker over hurdles the last day and she'll be better back over fences.

"We've always been looking to have a crack at a big pot with her and she gets into this race on a nice weight with 10st 9lb.

"We'd prefer better ground but if she handles it all, you'd hope she'll be competitive."

Other interesting contenders in a 19-runner field Themoonandsixpence, Cross Appeal and British raider Qhilimar.

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