UK Horse Racing Tips: Listowel

A dual scorer on the Flat in France, LOVE ME TENDER can make a winning debut over hurdles. Sent off market leader for the Ebor on his stable debut, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding ran a big race before weakening late on. Still relatively unexposed after just four career starts, the son of Tai Chi has the potential to do well in this sphere. A highly consistent gelding in similar races, Tyson Fury looks a big danger. Although rated 11lb lower than the selection on the level, the Denis Hogan-trained nine-year-old has acquired plenty of experience. Runner-up on his last two starts, Euro Agent has prospects of again reaching the frame at the very least.
Prediction : 1st Love Me Tender 2nd Tyson Fury 3rd Euro Agent

Runner-up in a Grade 1 at Punchestown on his most recent start over flights, the Martin Brassil-trained BARTHOLOMEW stands out. Prior to that, the son of Nathaniel had been an impressive winner of his maiden hurdle at Cork. With an official rating of 141, he sets a clear standard that should be very difficult to beat. Having had a nice pipe opener on the Flat at Gowran Park earlier this month, there should be no worries with regard to fitness. A 103-horse on the Flat, Columbus scored easily on his second start over flights when winning at the Galway Festival last month. Bumper and maiden hurdle winner Beir Bua needs to improve but looks best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Bartholomew 2nd Columbus 3rd Beir Bua

GLIN ROAD BOY was a big market drifter on handicap debut when second, just in front of Granlahan, at Sligo in July in a race won by the hugely progressive Timurshah, who went to win twice at the Galway Festival. Granlahan has been beaten a few times since, but the selection may well have been put by for this meeting which is local to his shrewd trainer's base. Aboras Mahler also bumped into a well-handicapped type when second at Downpatrick in May and commands plenty of respect. A winner at Kilbeggan in May, Blue Reed has been ultra consistent of late and has solid place claims again.
Prediction : 1st Glin Road Boy 2nd Aboras Mahler 3rd Blue Reed

A ready winner over 2m3f at Cork in May, HUMBLE BRAG has a decent chance in a competitive affair. A couple of his winning siblings stay well and trainer Donal Hassett doesn't have that many bullets to fire these days, so it looks significant that he has elected to step up to 3m with the unexposed Jukebox Jury gelding. Cooladdi came back for more when second to Smallcraftwarning at Kilbeggan and has more scope for improvement than that older rival, while 2m4f maiden winner Hi Ho Idaho found 2m too sharp on handicap debut and is now fitted with a tongue-tie. A 10lb rise for winning at Galway makes this a stiffer task for Caher Roes Den.
Prediction : 1st Humble Brag 2nd Cooladdi 3rd Hi Ho Idaho

No fewer than 11 of these ran in the Galway Plate in July, which was won by King Alexander. One of six runners for Willie Mullins, he's been raised 8lb for that success and preference on this occasion is for DOWNMEXICOWAY. Henry de Bromhead's runner came off the bridle a long way out at Ballybrit before plugging on for fifth and stepping up to 3m may enable him to reverse form with the Galway winner, runner-up Conyers Hill and fourth Nowwhatdoyouthink. Eric McNamara has won this three times and French Dynamite, third in last year's renewal, may fare best of his four runners after a nice prep run over hurdles earlier this month.
Prediction : 1st Downmexicoway 2nd French Dynamite 3rd Conyers Hill

The lightly-raced MISS DOYENNE can build on her mares' beginners' chase victory at Killarney in May. That was her first crack at racecourse fences and she jumped well on her way to winning by half a length. Lady Bluebird outran her 16/1 odds when taking the runner-up berth in a Grade 3 novice chase at Galway which puts her in contention for honours here. La Note Verte was seven lengths behind the selection in third at Killarney and has boosted the form with a comfortable success at Tramore last month, so she should be involved. Emily Love, who has a good win ratio, adds further spice to the mix.
Prediction : 1st Miss Doyenne 2nd Lady Bluebird 3rd La Note Verte

Patrick Mullins is an eye-catching booking for NEW GRANGE, who was left clear to land a point-to-point in February. This Walk In The Park gelding made good money at the sales and makes his track debut for Tom Cooper, who is more than adept at producing one to win a bumper. The form of Rond Point's opening fourth in a Galway bumper has been very well franked and it is not hard to see him improving on that effort. Young Doran is a danger reverting to a bumper after two runs in maiden hurdles that yielded a runner-up spot at Ballinrobe and a third place at Downpatrick, while Well Bud and Back In Favour are others pitching for prize money.
Prediction : 1st New Grange 2nd Rond Point 3rd Young Doran