UK Horse Racing Tips: Listowel

A good quality contest to start off the Listowel Harvest Festival, with some interesting hurdling debutants in the line-up. The winner of the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh in May, Common Practice, who is rated 83 on the level, is sure to have plenty of supporters. French import Pont Audemer was also successful on the Flat in May, winning at Vichy on his second start. A half-brother to dual Listed winner La Hoguette, he starts off for Gavin Cromwell now. Too Sharp is related to plenty of winners and is another to keep on side. For a selection, AGHABOY gets the nod. Narrowly beaten at Killarney, he made the breakthrough at Ballinrobe and looks capable of further progress. The hat-trick seeking The Insider is an obvious danger and is likely to go close with Davy Russell aboard. Tory Reel, Surac and Pepsiwithacap have all won over flights in recent months and are other leading hopes.
Prediction : 1st Aghaboy 2nd Common Practice 3rd The Insider

The top five are the ones to focus on here, with preference for NIKINI. The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old has some strong bumper form to her name and was a comfortable winner on her debut over flights at Kilbeggan last month. Patrick Mullins was aboard the Sea Moon-bay at the Co Westmeath venue and he later reported: "It looks to me that jumping interests her more". The hat-trick seeking Shannon Glory appears the main danger. An easy winner at Killarney in July, she progressed nicely to beat some smart rivals at Bellewstown most recently. Blanketontheground is by far the most experienced runner in the line-up and she can't be dismissed with Gary Noonan taking a valuable 7lb off. Hollymount has won three times from 10 starts and is another leading contender, while it'll be interesting to see how Delante fares. A winner over flights in France, she disappointed on her Irish debut at Naas in February, with her rider Bryan Cooper reporting that his mount 'felt lame and was pulled up'.
Prediction : 1st Nikini 2nd Shannon Glory 3rd Blanketontheground

An ultra-competitive affair, with the hat-trick seeking ROYAL EAGLE appearing the safest option. She was a comfortable winner of the festival opener at Galway in July and followed up on the level at Tramore. The four-year-old is clearly progressing and her opening mark of 106 could prove to be rather lenient. There is another six last time out winners in the line-up. Killoughteen and Sean Says were both successful at Wexford earlier this month, with the former now making her debut in handicap company. She will again be ridden by her part-owner Anthony Bustin who claims a valuable 7lb. Highland Penny came home 10 lengths to the good at Tramore in June and he is sure to have plenty of supporters, while Killarney winner Shannon Gray (fourth 12 months ago) is one of two Eoin McCarthy representatives set to take part. Pour The Wine, Female Approach and Lonesome Day are others to keep on side.
Prediction : 1st Royal Eagle 2nd Killoughteen 3rd Highland Penny

WHAT PATH seemed to improve when winning a smart Galway bumper in July. That form has been boosted by the runner-up, third and fourth-placed horses all winning subsequently and while he lacks previous jumping experience, is a big staying type who tackles a manageable maiden. Run For Pat, rated 109, is an eight-race maiden over hurdles and while he can be counted upon to run his usual race, is clearly vulnerable to capable types. Hurdling debutant Battle Of Mirbat has point-to-point experience and ran well in two recent bumpers while Who's Houdini showed form in a point-to-point and has place claims following two fair hurdle runs (reported 'sore' after his Tramore run) in August.
Prediction : 1st What Path 2nd Run For Pat 3rd Battle Of Mirbat

CHEMICAL ENERGY was a well-beaten favourite on chase debut in April but should benefit from the experience and is suited by race conditions. Runner-up in a Grade 3 hurdle last November, he neatly fits into today's race on hurdles form and while well held on chase debut at Kilbeggan, the second, third and fourth all won subsequently and he receives weight from his principal rivals. Cornerkova fell at the first fence at Killarney last month and while she had previously shown good summer form, concedes plenty of weight. Ferdia rarely sees home and while he disappointed at Sligo on Wednesday, is 12lb better off with Cornerkova, who beat him four lengths at Clonmel in June. Whosgotyanow, under a 7lb claimer, is ideally suited by today's distance and good ground, but faces a tougher task than when winning at Killarney.
Prediction : 1st Chemical Energy 2nd Cornerkova 3rd Ferdia

EASY GAME is 12lb wrong with stablemate Kemboy on adjusted ratings but is nonetheless Paul Townend's pick and is the more reliable. The selection was well beaten in the Galway Plate but shouldered top weight and was also hampered, and on previous form is suited by good ground and these middle-distance chases. Kemboy's last 10 runs have been in Grade 1 company and performed well in defeat in many races last season. However, he was well held in the three-mile French Champion Hurdle in May, would ideally prefer a longer distance and also has a small tendency to jump right, which is a slight concern. Call Me Lyreen is a useful novice chaser but faces a tough task against seasoned campaigners. The Little Yank has a growing fan base and won a lesser race at Sligo on Wednesday, while stablemate The Dara Man was pulled up at Sligo.
Prediction : 1st Easy Game 2nd Kemboy 3rd Call Me Lyreen

A chance is taken with REBEL PAT, who was in contention when slipping up, taking a crashing fall, at Kildorrery in February. That form is nothing special but he held every chance when exiting and his presence at this festival, in the Rebel Fitz colours, is notable. Polo Lounge has been a beaten favourite on all three starts and while useful, is nonetheless vulnerable to pacier rivals, being a big, chasing type. One For Lucy finished a useful second at Tramore last month and has claims, being proven on good ground. Val The Man was reported to have 'never travelled' when pulling up at Roscommon last month but had previously run well at Killarney.
Prediction : 1st Rebel Pat 2nd Polo Lounge 3rd One For Lucy