THE Island Handicap Hurdle looks the pick of the action at Listowel on Thursday. Rupert Lamb arrives with solid claims after a comfortable victory at Killarney and it will be interesting to see how he fares following a 7lb hike, which still looks to leave him well treated compared to his chase figure.
Draco and Lilly The Lioness meet him on more favourable terms after giving chase in second and fourth (in that order) last month, and the potentially unexposed Dollar And A Dream is another live contender after his success at the Galway Festival.
Dollar And A Dream’s trainer Tony Martin is responsible for three of the 10 runners in this €60k two-miler including the fancied Whatsforuwontgobyu, a winner of a Flat handicap at the Galway Festival meeting by eight-and-a-half lengths after taking a maiden hurdle at Sligo.
He went up 24lb for that Galway success and certainly looks an improver going back over hurdles. He’ll take a deal of beating here with Mark Walsh in the saddle.
The three-mile Devon Inn Hotel Handicap Hurdle is a lower grade contest and Catalaunian Fields is an interesting candidate after thoroughly appreciating a step up in trip at Bellewstown.
The Colm Murphy-trained gelding faces some stiff opposition on his handicap bow, though, which includes Slygufftou, who is bidding for a fourth successive victory.
Of the others, Westerner Lady has won her last two but this looks more competitive and it looks significant that Ruby Walsh takes the mount on stable companion New Kid In Town. He couldn’t defy a big weight at Bellewstown last time but may be capable of getting a good bit closer now.
Kylecrue won over fences here on Sunday and if that effort in testing conditions hasn’t left a mark he could be a player again off just a pound higher mark back over hurdles.
Archie Meade looks likely to be sent off a warm order in the Kevin McManus Beginners Chase. This looks a very weak contest. The 10-year-old has plenty of experience over fences and wasn’t beaten by far in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan in July.
The 14-furlong handicap could see Face Value follow up his success in this race 12 months ago. Ado McGuinness’ gelding was last sighted finishing runner-up over hurdles at Bellewstown and should relish these potentially slower underfoot conditions.
Spacious Sky, Ceylon and the three-year-old Roscommon maiden winner Sense Of Victory are the obvious threats to apprentice Ross Coakley’s mount.
The opening mile maiden may see 80-rated Tadaany get off the mark. Dermot Weld’s son of Acclamation has run solid races in defeat when fitted with a visor the last twice and might have more to offer if settling more effectively. Seaforth and Rainfall Radar are the two he has to beat.
The mile handicap is of no interest to stay-at-home punters. Three of these ran yesterday and of the 14 runners, Harry Rogers is responsible for a quartet. Jackemil is proven in the ground and may run well but Love Letter’s Gowran second to Vitalized might be improved upon.
In the 12-furlong maiden, John Murphy’s pair Alguazil and Indian Spirit have their best chances to date but Eoin Doyle’s recent acquisition from Tony Mullins, the Galway second Fiorbheim, might be a proposition here against The Last Marju.
