UK Horse Racing Tips: Listowel

LA NOTE VERTE relished good ground when a wide-margin winner of a fillies' bumper here 12 months ago. She hasn't been seen since then, but is sure to well schooled for this first crack at hurdling coming from the champion trainer's stable. Hillhead Runner has switched to Gavin Cromwell after landing a fillies' bumper at Tipperary in October by the narrowest margin, so this Mahler mare has to rate a danger. Mile End wasn't beaten in fourth when unseating two out in Tipperary. She's had four spins over hurdles with a best finish of second at Thurles. Bearami Creek disappointed in Downpatrick, but there was promise in her third over flights on the penultimate start at Ballinrobe.
Prediction : 1st La Note Verte 2nd Hillhead Runner 3rd Mile End

DAY TRADER had some useful form on the Flat in France and may oblige on his third outing over hurdles. There was plenty to like about his jumping debut in Down Royal where he finished second. He didn't run his race in Killarney six days later, but it may have come too soon and he has had three weeks off since then. Penny Express didn't fare badly in fourth on debut at Tramore and may not have stayed over a much longer trip when next seen at Downpatrick. Gordon Elliott's charge gets a first-time hood. Coup D'etat attracted plenty of support in Cork, but weakened out of contention over further. He could land a blow over this trip, though.
Prediction : 1st Day Trader 2nd Penny Express 3rd Coup Detat

LADY BEE GREAT is a lightly-raced sort who showed marked improvement to keep on for second in a maiden hurdle at Tipperary. Some of the improvement could be attributed to the hood that was deployed for the first time and, unsurprisingly, it is retained. Lilian Bland has won three of her last five races and is picking up plenty of prize money with her consistency. She is a real credit to connections and, if coping with this shorter trip, would have to be feared. It'sallabouteve travelled well on her way to second over C&D last September. She is entitled to come on from this run, but is certainly worth a market check.
Prediction : 1st Lady Bee Great 2nd Lilian Bland 3rd Itsallabouteve

The admirable veteran LORD ERSKINE has a shot at defying top-weight. The 12-year-old gelding is up 6lb after delivering in a valuable handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse over Easter. That was his 12th career success over hurdles and on the Flat, including two on the level at this venue. Stuntman Steve was just over three lengths behind Lord Erskine in fifth at Fairyhouse, but could get closer on this better ground. Shraheen is appreciably up in class, but has more than earned a crack at this contest as he's on a hat-trick after victories at Tipperary and Leopardstown. The downside is that he has been off since Christmas. Raydamann's third in a big field at Punchestown was a more than fair effort.
Prediction : 1st Lord Erskine 2nd Stuntman Steve 3rd Shraheen

BLOOD DESTINY is very hard to go past at these weights with his rating of 152. A Grade 3 victory in Navan last year preceded a third place in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse. His runner-up berth behind a stablemate in a Grade 3 at Killarney last month should have him primed for this assignment, albeit he would prefer slower ground. The Banger Doyle is next best on ratings (11lb inferior to Blood Destiny) and could appreciate this small field as he beat five rivals at Cork last October. Embittered will enjoy this ground and it may spark a return to form.
Prediction : 1st Blood Destiny 2nd The Banger Doyle 3rd Embittered

EYES OFF ANNIE could be capable of making the most of the weight she receives from all of her rivals with David Doyle good value for his 7lb claim. The extreme trip may have proved the daughter of Presenting's undoing at Downpatrick last time, and she's best judged on her patiently-ridden win over an extended 3m at Cork on Easter Monday. Many of these have done battle more than once in the past and given that he's progressive and on a winning roll, Bartlemy Boy ought to confirm superiority over familiar foes. Lisleigh Lad is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Eyes Off Annie 2nd Bartlemy Boy 3rd Lisleigh Lad

SOLDIERS WORLD showed some promise in point-to-points and it's interesting that he's tried in a bumper having switched to the Declan Queally yard. This shorter trip and better ground could be right up his alley while any market move would be significant. Angelo Dundee is the obvious threat having won a bumper at the Punchestown Festival back in 2023 but he's obviously not been the easiest to train and filled the runner-up spot behind the odds-on Sunny South West when reappearing at Tipperary last month. Point winner Additional Time might be next best.
Prediction : 1st Soldiers World 2nd Angelo Dundee 3rd Additional Time