Katie Midwinter's Wednesday tips: double-figure fancies at Limerick

In the penultimate race at Yarmouth, the James Ferguson-trained Cavolo Nero makes appeal as he bids to record his first win of the year from a mark of 85, 4lb higher than his previous win in a Goodwood handicap last season. He hasn't been disgraced in three runs so far this term, but is capable of better, and the addition of first-time blinkers could spark enough improvement for him to return to the winners' enclosure. 

The yard has been in good form of late and this four-year-old son of Make Believe could continue their positive run by putting in a competitive effort. He finished second over a mile on reappearance at Kempton when rated 1lb higher, before finishing third and fourth respectively over a mile-and-a-quarter. The drop back to a mile should be in his favour, running over a trip at which he is proven, and it could be worth keeping the faith in Cavolo Nero at this level. 

Johnny Murtagh has a decent record in handicaps with his three-year-olds so far this year, performing at a 20 percent strike-rate, and Leeward could be capable of a bold showing on handicap debut in this contest. 

The son of Frankel is stepping up to a mile-and-a-half for the first time, which could well suit considering he's related to some talented middle-distance performers. He's from the family of All At Sea, a Group One winner who finished second in an Oaks, as well as the Listed mile-and-a-quarter winner Crossed Baton. 

There are plenty of classy performers in his pedigree and there could be plenty more to come from this colt, who is yet to show the best of his ability in three starts but could find more luck down the handicap route. He still appears to be a work in progress but may find this test over a longer distance to his liking. 

The John and Thady Gosden-trained filly Velvet Vega shaped with promise when second to Earth Shot on debut at Newmarket last month. Despite being beaten five-lengths by the eventual winner, a subsequent close second at Listed level, the daughter of Lope De Vega showed some potential alongside her greenness and inexperience, pulling four-and-three-quarter-lengths clear of third-placed Wild Violet, who has since run well in a Wolverhampton novice. 

Stepping up an extra furlong in this contest on her second start, with Oisin Murphy - who has a 35% strike-rate in maidens so far this year, a statistic which improves to 44% solely at all-weather tracks - taking the ride, the three-year-old could get off the mark. 

A €240,000 purchase as a yearling, the well-bred filly has plenty of class as well as staying credentials in her pedigree. She is from the family of Irish and Yorkshire Oaks winner Petrushka, who also landed the Prix de l'Opera, also related to Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Spectrum, and is a daughter to a Listed winner. 

This could be the perfect opportunity for her to shed her maiden tag for the Clarehaven yard. 

Three-year-old gelding Pass The Buck remains unexposed on only his sixth career start and could find improvement over this longer distance under Declan McDonogh. He finished a decent third in a Ballinrobe maiden when last seen, beaten two-lengths by Glamazon on that occasion, and runs over an extra mile this time around. 

Whilst this is a significant step up in trip, it could allow this son of Australia to fare better. He has shown to possess some ability and has made only one start in handicaps to date, therefore is open to showing further progression and he may be better equipped for a more stamina-testing challenge.