2023 Munster National Betting Odds at Limerick racecourse

Sunday, 22 October 2023

There is likely to be a big field at Limerick Racecourse for this three-mile encounter which takes place over sixteen fences. It’s a stamina-sapping Irish National Hunt encounter, with El Barra having plenty to prove despite being the market leader. The horse unseated his rider last time although rides in the distinctive Rich Ricci silks.

Perhaps there is better value in the form of Busselton, with Joseph O’Brien having a smart jumper who is often in the final shake-up of a race, while Run Wild Fred and Frontal Assault run for Gordon Elliott and the two Gigginstown horses could be well-handicapped as we anticipate soft ground for the race.

2022 Munster National Tips

El Barra has been installed as the bookmaker favourite to win the 2022 Munster National, with Willie Mullins hoping to lay a market as he competes to be the top Irish trainer during the current National Hunt season. The eight-year-old was sent off as favourite in the Galway Plate at the end of July, although was more recently unseating his rider when Busselton won the Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase.

Busselton certainly looks a good each-way shout for this race, particularly if you are able to get extra each-way places for the five-year-old. Joseph O’Brien’s runner might be progressive considering he’s only aged five right now, with the win at Listowel in September taking place over three miles and it was a fairly comfortable win in the end.

Darasso comes from the same stable and has four-and-a-half lengths to find on Busselton after that race, having previously finished second in the Tote Galway Plate. That was a narrow defeat over two miles and six furlongs, while we also have to respect the chances of Run Wild Fred and Frontal Assault.

The former was second to Galvin over three miles at Punchestown when running in the Irish Daily Star Chase, with that being a credible performance after falling in both the English and Irish Grand National. Front Assault enjoyed an impressive win at Galway at the beginning of October and could be primed for a big run for Gigginstown.