Eric Bloodaxe will try to join an impressive roll of honour in Limerick's day two feature and prove a gory result for bookmakers.
The Gigginstown-owned horse is one of 10 lining up in the Grade Two Lyons of Limerick Novice Hurdle, a contest won previously by stars such as Faugheen and Penhill.
A combination of testing ground conditions and around almost three miles will put an emphasis on stamina that should play to the strengths of Eric Bloodaxe.
An impressive winner of his maiden at Naas last month, he ran into a potential top-notch prospect in Ginto at Navan last time but is unlikely to bump into anything of that calibre here.
Henry de Bromhead’s mare Brampton Belle was notably easy in the market when scoring at Tramore while Humble Glory’s 118 rating looks to leave her with plenty to do.
Freedom To Dream returned from a lengthy absence to win at Punchestown and could emerge as the main threat to Eric Bloodaxe.
The latter is a dual-bumper winner, including beating no less than Ferny Hollow on his debut, who finished up last season running fourth to Kilcruit at Punchestown.
His two starts over flights suggest a high-class horse laden with stamina which looks a perfect combination for this Christmas task.
Farceur Du Large is Gigginstown’s hope in an earlier novice chase which sees The Priests Leap get a crack at some unfinished business.
Arthur Moore’s charge exited at the second last in this race in 2020 but subsequently won well on heavy ground over hurdles.
There was plenty to like about his return to action at Punchestown three weeks ago in the race won by Ferny Hollow.
Sequoiaspirit has a 93 rating on the back of three runs over flights last spring. Since then Ray Hackett’s runner has won three times and he looks interesting on his return to jumping.
