UK Horse Racing Tips: Listowel

NURBURGRING travelled to Royal Ascot in June with a Flat rating of 96 and while no longer value for that mark, won on his recent hurdles debut. The Killarney runner-up had previously finished narrowly behind today's rival Spinning Web at Tipperary in July, but the selection should improve considerably jumping-wise from Killarney and, importantly, relishes soft ground. Spinning Web is rated just 48 on the flat but is progressive. He too has form on soft and ran well in a recent winners' hurdle but might struggle to beat the selection. Hands On is Enda Bolger's second ever three-year-old-hurdle runner and while likely to improve from this run, is by a top jumps stallion and is out of a Galileo-mare who has produced a six-time winner. Ex-Michael Stoute's Wodhooh, a 50,000gns July purchase, has form on the all-weather but was well held on her only soft-ground run and has a tough task on jumps debut.
Prediction : 1st Nurburgring 2nd Spinning Web 3rd Hands On

Softening ground won't suit the principal runners but SPACE TOURIST ran well on yielding in March 2022 and notably reverts left-handed. All her recent runs have been at right-handed tracks, when jumping markedly left, and while a 41 length-winner at Kilbeggan, blundered at the second-last at Galway last month and should be seen in a better light going left-handed. She stays this distance but heavy ground mightn't suit. Say Goodbye, runner-up in the 2021 renewal, is probably the most talented mare in the race but returns from 478 days off and would prefer a sound surface. In-form Light Parade is rated just 94 but is suited by this distance and soft ground and has place claims while 118-rated Popova has winning form on yielding but was well held on her return from a mini-break at Bellewstown.
Prediction : 1st Space Tourist 2nd Say Goodbye 3rd Light Parade

ATIMETODREAM ran well on handicap debut in May and reappears following a mid-summer break. She bumped into Grade 1 winner Irish Point last November, is suited by soft and being an unexposed, well-bred five-year-old, should progress. Rathnaleen Kal was third in that Limerick race and subsequently boosted the form but meets the selection 6lb worse off. Debut bumper winner Stormalong ran well when failing to concede 8lb to the winner at Sligo last month and debuts in handicaps. She likes soft and should compete from 105. Progressive Good As Hell reverts to hurdles rated 25lb lower and won from a career-high rating on soft ground at Killarney. However she was beaten from 1lb lower on her last hurdles outing in May. Sea Aster steps up from winning a Tramore unplaced horses' maiden while keen-going course winner Call Her Now disappointed at Tipperary. No Fussing's yard is flying and she has soft ground form while Phils Choice is a 12-race maiden but has form. All Walks Of Life, which runs in a first-time hood, was pulled up with a slipped saddle in May.
Prediction : 1st Atimetodream 2nd Rathnaleen Kal 3rd Stormalong

SILVER GAZETTE returned to form following a layoff, last month. Runner-up to subsequent Grade 2-winner Favori De Champdou in November 2022, he bumped into a capable winner on debut for Andy Slattery at Tramore, while the third-placed horse won next-time. He is suited by soft ground, this distance and his rider claims 5lb. Workforadime finished 12.5 lengths behind today's rival Misty's Gift in May and while Workforadime caught the eye at Wexford recently, might still struggle to beat the selection. Misty's Gift didn't take to fences at Ballinrobe last month and while a dual bumper winner, has failed in 13 previous maiden hurdles. Atacanter ran well at Leopardstown last March, stays well and has place claims on return. Signora De Milano reverts back up in distance while True Or False has some point-to-point/hunter chase form.
Prediction : 1st Silver Gazette 2nd Workforadime 3rd Mistys Gift

A case can be made for all five participants. RIAAN impressed on his debut over fences at Wexford and might be able to follow-up now. While that Bettyville contest probably wasn't a strong affair, the Diamond Boy six-year-old couldn't have done much more, with his rider Jack Kennedy later saying: "He jumped brilliant and I couldn't have asked for better of him really. He is going to come on for it fitness wise and I'm delighted with him." While not the most consistent, Uncle Phil is given second preference. He impressively dismissed Winter Fog on his penultimate start and a reproduction of that performance would see him hard to beat. Gracchus De Balme is sure to have plenty of supporters after winning at Roscommon last month, while The Dasher Conway and Great Bear complete the line-up, with both warranting respect.
Prediction : 1st Riaan 2nd Uncle Phil 3rd Gracchus De Balme

An interesting contest, with EASY GAME marginally preferred over Saint Sam and Visionarian. The selection has an excellent record at Listowel and is bidding to win this race for the third year in-a-row. A superb servant to connections, it's difficult to oppose the 17-time winner, despite the fact that Paul Townend has. To be fair, the champion jockey had a difficult task choosing between the Willie Mullins-trained pair, with just 1lb between them on ratings. While flawless in three starts over the summer months, Saint Sam faces a tougher assignment now. A solid fifth in the Galway Plate, Visionarian since impressed at Ballinrobe and getting weight from the aforementioned duo, it'll come as no surprise if he manages to take this. Dancing On My Own completes the line-up and while a smart performer, he was beaten by Easy Game when they clashed here in June.
Prediction : 1st Easy Game 2nd Visionarian 3rd Saint Sam

NEVER PRESENT gets the nod over Glowing Account. The John McConnell-trained selection was still in front when coming down two out on debut at Grennan in May. Since sold to current connections for 30,000 pounds, he should give a good account of himself here with Alex Harvey aboard. At the age of six, Glowing Account belatedly makes his debut and won't have to be a star to take this contest which lacks strength and depth. Typhoon Flyer is a half-brother to 2021 King George winner Tornado Flyer. Still very much in contention when falling two out on his penultimate start at Ballinaboola, it'll be interesting to see how he fares on his racecourse debut. A runner-up at Roscommon over a year ago, Locorotondo warrants respect with Derek O'Connor aboard, while Answering and Huntsgrove are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Never Present 2nd Glowing Account 3rd Typhoon Flyer