UK Horse Racing Tips: Listowel

Downpatrick bumper winner SANSRISK can register a first success over hurdles. The Philip Dempsey-trained mare ran well on two previous starts over flights, particularly in a stronger contest at Leopardstown over Christmas. This looks a nice opportunity for the daughter of No Risk At All to open her account in this discipline. Runner-up on her first three runs over hurdles, Born In Purple looked booked for a similar position when falling at Down Royal last month. The former French Flat winner needs to brush up her jumping but would be a serious threat if doing so. Mexican Moonshine, who finished second on her racecourse debut at Ballinrobe earlier this month, is entitled to be sharper for that initial outing.
Prediction : 1st Sansrisk 2nd Born In Purple 3rd Mexican Moonshine

Although he has a long absence to overcome, the Henry De Bromhead-trained DOWNMEXICOWAY might be worth chancing. A point-to-point winner at Belharbour in February 2023, the gelding shaped with promise on his racecourse debut at Punchestown two months later. While he is entitled to come on considerably from this race, De Bromhead is well capable of having one ready after a layoff. De Temps En Temps, runner-up on his only point-to-point start, is of obvious interest on his debut for Gavin Cromwell. With the stable firing on all cylinders at the moment, the son of Court Cave looks sure to be competitive. Locally trained Herbies Rover has shown enough on two starts to date to suggest he can also be involved.
Prediction : 1st Downmexicoway 2nd De Temps En Temps 3rd Herbies Rover

If able to replicate his runner-up effort in the Boodles at Cheltenham, EAGLES REIGN will be hard to beat here. A moderate handicapper on the Flat, the Ross O'Sullivan-trained gelding improved markedly when switched to hurdles last winter. Although disappointing at Aintree on his final start of the campaign, he had been a consistent performer prior to that below par run. A recent return on the level at Navan should have left him spot on for this assignment. Bright Legend was behind the selection at the Cheltenham Festival but looks nicely treated off his hurdles mark. He, too, should be all the sharper following a recent outing at Galway. Pinot Gris is also of interest in first-time cheekpieces. The grey finished a close up second on the Flat here last year.
Prediction : 1st Eagles Reign 2nd Bright Legend 3rd Pinot Gris

Eric McNamara, who loves to line one up for this relatively local track, has two strong chances in the shape of Say It So and IFITWASME. The latter, who opened his account on the Flat at Tipperary in July, arguably has the more scope for improvement. Having had just the three starts over hurdles, the four-year-old could be nicely handicapped off a mark of 95. Say It So is bidding to follow up having registered a first success over flights at Cork last month. Although now 6lb higher, the Raven's Pass gelding looks one of the more likely winners. Ah Remy Martin has shaped well enough in his short career to date to suggest that he is another capable of getting involved at the business end of this race.
Prediction : 1st Ifitwasme 2nd Say It So 3rd Ah Remy Martin

GREAT UNIVERSE looks nicely treated off an initial mark of 114. The eight-year-old has some strong form to his name and was just three quarters of a length behind subsequent Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Slade Steel in a bumper at the Punchestown Festival of last year. Third on his first two efforts over flights, the Martin Brassil-trained bay starts off in handicap company now, and it'll be interesting to see how he fares. Looking to exploit a lower mark over hurdles, Killarney victor Dutch Schultz is the pick of the three Gavin Cromwell-trained representatives, while fellow recent winners Big Stage, Pray Tell and Win Some Lose Some all look to have strong claims. After a controversial defeat last month, it'll come as no surprise if Ballywilliam Boy gains compensation, with C&D winner Millstream Lady another for the shortlist in this fiercely competitive affair.
Prediction : 1st Great Universe 2nd Dutch Schultz 3rd Ballywilliam Boy

Henry de Bromhead fought off suitors from elsewhere when bringing MOSSY FEN PARK back to his Co Waterford base at Goffs in May. Offered for sale by his then owners Clipper Logistics, the Walk In The Park five-year-old fetched 235,000 pounds, with de Bromhead and Gerry Aherne the successful bidders. The winner of a point-to-point when in the care of Sean Doyle, the well-regarded bay was last seen finishing second in a Grade 2 over flights. Starting off over regulation fences now, he looks the one to beat. Disappointingly pulled up when sent off a 10/1 chance in the Irish National in April, Good Time Jonny is of definite interest with Derek O'Connor aboard, while smart hurdler Yeats Star and the Willie Mullins-trained Billericay Dickie are other leading contenders.
Prediction : 1st Mossy Fen Park 2nd Good Time Jonny 3rd Yeats Star

A bit of a guessing game, with newcomers dominating. One such is GOLDINTHEVALLEYS, a 220,000-euro yearling purchase. Out of a half-sister to 2012 Breeders' Cup winner Flotilla, he represents top connections and will be ably assisted by the evergreen Derek O'Connor. Out of Grade 1 winner Augusta Kate, first reserve Amen Kate would be of definite interest if getting a run, while other debutants worthy of consideration are the Gordon Elliott-trained William Butler and Richard O'Brien's Spare Chips. Of the experienced runners in the line-up, Rural Link stands out with Patrick Mullins aboard. Live Aid will need to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Kilbeggan if he is to feature here, while South Of Killerig and Killarney fifth Friary Road are others of note.
Prediction : 1st Goldinthevalleys 2nd William Butler 3rd Rural Link