UK Horse Racing Tips: Listowel

ART OF SILENCE can go well on hurdling debut. He held on by a head to win a Ballinrobe bumper in May after which connections commented that he should improve into a nice jumping horse down the road. He reappeared at the same track this month and ran third in another bumper. Boyzohboyz attracted some support before finishing well behind in fourth in his first hurdle race at Tramore in April. In retrospect, that was a tough assignment as the clear-cut winner went on to land the Adare Manor Opportunity Final Handicap Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. Boyzohboyz is entitled to get closer. Rock On Pedro was gambled on before his hurdling debut at Wexford. He came in fourth and didn't run badly at all. Rumi is interesting switching from the Flat in Britain. Newcomer Superior Risk should be checked for market strength.
Prediction : 1st Art Of Silence 2nd Boyzohboyz 3rd Rock On Pedro

Willie Mullins' CHAMP KIELY looked potentially very smart when cruising home by 21 lengths on his debut over hurdle in Galway. To put that run into context, the runner-up came out and comfortably won a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan on his next start. Lieutenant Highway is unlikely to give him a free pass. He has won his last four races over flights and is progressing very well. His experience will stand him in good stead. Champ Kiely's stablemate, Nos Na Gaoithe, is another to consider after romping home by 13 lengths at Ballinrobe last month. Ambitious Fellow is only rated 1lb inferior to Lieutenant Highway and cannot be ruled out. Senecia looked decent when winning by a wide margin in Wexford.
Prediction : 1st Champ Kiely 2nd Lieutenant Highway 3rd Nos Na Gaoithe

There was a lot to like about ALVARO's performance in the same grade at Killarney and he is taken to go one better. The six-year-old gelding contested an extended 2m6f handicap hurdle and challenged the winner from the second-last flight before going down by a short head. He has been placed in three of his last four runs. Nibblers Charm was a couple of places behind Alvaro in that aforementioned race and actually has winning form over this trip, so looks a player. Watch The Weather has been in terrific form with two victories and a runner-up spot posted since the start of August. This is a big step up in class, though. Auckland has had over two months off since a below-par run in Killarney and could bounce back. Downtown Queen and Son Of Hypnos will have their supporters. Jimmy Jimmy is returning off a long absence. Market support would be significant.
Prediction : 1st Alvaro 2nd Nibblers Charm 3rd Watch The Weather

PENNY JAR is one of the few arriving in form and has his chance. He was strong at the business end over this trip in Bellewstown when winning by almost five lengths. He is up 6lb, but that is not insurmountable if he is in the same humour. Alfieri has unseated in his last two outings, but a clear round would see him involved. Toms Courage kept on to come home a close third over 2m at this track on Monday. Previous efforts over this sort of trip have been unconvincing, but this is a weak race.
Prediction : 1st Penny Jar 2nd Alfieri 3rd Toms Courage

FLOREY SPUD fell in the early stages at Navan last Saturday, but is worth another chance. He was runner-up in his previous two starts at Wexford when keeping on in both over this trip. The fact he is turned out again quickly after the first fall of his career bodes well for this task. We'llgowats brought her homework to the track when obliging in Cork. She has since finished a staying-on third at Worcester and has prospects. Naturally Blond could go well off the front for a long way. Forcing tactics worked a treat over this distance at Killarney in July. He has thrown in a bad mistake in his last two appearances, but still finished third in Wexford and fourth at Bellewstown. Hurricane Darwin hasn't been over hurdles since January when out of form in this discipline. He did pop up to win a cross country steeplechase at Punchestown in April, though, but hasn't been out since. On balance, the 12-year-old is best watched.
Prediction : 1st Florey Spud 2nd Wellgowats 3rd Naturally Blond

SIL VER KLASS was placed in his last two runs over fences in Grade B handicap chases which brings him right into contention for this race. His third place in a valuable handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival in July has been well franked. A placed run on the Flat at Navan this month should have him ripe for this task. Mattie's Mountain faced a tough task when outsider for a rated novice chase on day one of this festival last Sunday, but he ran a cracker in second behind the favourite. Michael O'Sullivan takes 7lb off his back again. Bythesametoken certainly has the ability to play a part. This is more realistic than the chase he finished fourth in at 33/1 in Ballinrobe last month.
Prediction : 1st Sil Ver Klass 2nd Matties Mountain 3rd Bythesametoken

IT COULD BE YOU brought up plenty of bets when scoring in Galway earlier this month. That was a stout staying performance over an extended 2m6f and there should be more to come from him. He got a 6lb rise, but that is more than offset by Charlie Mullins' 7lb claim. Brideswell Lad is chasing a hat-trick after decisive successes in Limerick and Wexford. Rob James' 7lb claim eases his welter burden of 12st 5lb and the pair have to come under consideration. Hoke Colburn finished second behind It Could Be You in Galway when beaten by two lengths and has claims with a 4lb pull in the weights. Crobally Boy can make an impact on proceedings despite being 2lb out of the handicap. Father Jed won this last year and could go well.
Prediction : 1st It Could Be You 2nd Brideswell Lad 3rd Hoke Colburn

THECOMPANYSERGEANT built upon a promising third on debut at Galway when obliging by two lengths in Kilbeggan. He looks well worth a shot at this winners' bumper. Realistic Optimism disappointed in Bellewstown after an easy victory at Kilbeggan. He has been freshened up with almost three months off and could show more sparkle. Both Dark Image and Chautuaqua won their first starts in this discipline, but weren't at their best when next seen. The former is proven on better ground. Our Uncle Jack is a potential improver.
Prediction : 1st Thecompanysergeant 2nd Realistic Optimism 3rd Dark Image