UK Horse Racing Tips: Listowel

A three-time winner on the Flat, TRUBSHAW has the potential to make up into a smart horse over hurdles. The Henry De Bromhead-trained gelding was an impressive scorer on the level at Killarney last month, before subsequently running well off a higher mark at Down Royal, and the front runner could prove ideally suited to this tight track. Kilbeggan runner-up Blue Johnl brings the best recent form over flights into the contest, while point-to-point second Local Resident is not ruled out in a race where few hold solid claims.
Prediction : 1st Trubshaw 2nd Blue Johnl 3rd Local Resident

ROC DINO may well provide trainer Willie Mullins with another festival winner. Relatively lightly raced, the five-year-old opened his account in emphatic fashion at Downpatrick on his penultimate start. He followed that with solid second at Galway and the son of Doctor Dino is taken to resume winning ways. Stable companion Clay Pigeons landed maiden hurdle at Roscommon last month and could prove the main threat, although Dad Sez scored at Kilbeggan recently and has the potential for improvement after just three starts.
Prediction : 1st Roc Dino 2nd Clay Pigeons 3rd Dad Sez

The locally trained ELUSIVE OGIE hasn't enjoyed the best of luck this term, but he returned to something like his best when scoring at Bellewstown last month and is taken to follow up. Third in the Listed Lartigue Hurdle at last year's festival, the son of Elusive Pimpernel is only 3lb higher in this less competitive affair and a bold bid is anticipated. Sageborough is not discounted judged on his Wexford success back in May, while Cork maiden winner and handicap debutant Livio also merits respect.
Prediction : 1st Elusive Ogie 2nd Sageborough 3rd Livio

Despite being an infrequent winner, TROPICAL IMAGE can follow up her success at last year's festival. Lightly raced over hurdles in the interim, the Eoin McCarthy-trained mare showed signs of a return to form when third over fences at Killarney last month. While her tendency to find a couple too good is an obvious concern, this meeting is likely to have been the plan for some time. An easy victor at Limerick on his most recent start over hurdles, Opposite Ends ran well on his return to fences last time. Almost certainly open to more improvement, the son of Mahler has to be respected. Liberated Light is another with decent claims despite having the burden of topweight.
Prediction : 1st Tropical Image 2nd Opposite Ends 3rd Liberated Light

Successful in the corresponding race 12 months ago, EL CHAMPO can make it back-to-back wins. Having failed to add to that victory in seven subsequent starts, the Philip Rothwell-trained gelding now finds himself back on the same mark as last year. There were definite signs of a revival on his most recent start at Punchestown in June and this is sure to have been a long term target. Beaten less than a length in this race last year, Talk In The Park is another that will have had it on his radar for some time. First-time blinkers could see the eight-year-old reignited. Killarney third West Away steps up in trip now but has to be a contender if staying.
Prediction : 1st El Champo 2nd Talk In The Park 3rd West Away

Narrowly denied at Galway earlier this month, JUSTATAN can go one better. A dual point-to-point winner, the Emmet Mullins-trained gelding ran his best race to date under Rules last time on his chasing debut. Stepping up in trip here should see the seven-year-old register a first victory on his track debut while Barry Stone looks a significant booking, and the hint should be taken. A consistent sort in recent runs, Illtakehimmyself shouldn't be far away. Trainer Eric McNamara loves to have winners at this festival and the Jet Away gelding holds strong claims. Lightly raced over fences, Toor Khov is also worthy of serious consideration with leading amateur John Gleeson in the saddle.
Prediction : 1st Justatan 2nd Illtakehimmyself 3rd Toor Khov

GREEN STYLE can land the festival finale for Willie and Patrick Mullins. An impressive scorer on his stable debut at Cork last month, the five-year-old sets a decent standard in a race of this nature. With the unpenalised newcomers coming from yards not traditionally associated with bumper winners, it will be a surprise if one of the previous winners doesn't land the spoils, so Iron Sword could give the selection most to do. Trainer Andy Slattery does particularly well with his small string of bumper horses and the son of For Fun did it nicely at Ballinrobe last time. Game Shadow, who scored at Perth on his first start for John McConnell, also merits respect.
Prediction : 1st Green Style 2nd Iron Sword 3rd Game Shadow