Hi all,
Not sure how Marching Army was allowed to go off 22/1 at Newbury yesterday but I’m not complaining. It was the only winner on the day although plenty of the selections ran well but combined with Friday’s two winners it meant the service has moved into profit for the month.
It’s the start of what looks a busy week on the selections front. The Listowel “Harvest” Festival began on Sunday. It’s a long meeting which runs through until Saturday. To be fair most of the racing is moderate but it’s one of those Irish racing festivals which is more than just a race meeting
The meeting is the last major festival of the summer and the last one before Christmas in Ireland. When I think of Listowel, I always think autumn and the upcoming winter jumps season which is very much on the horizon.
For many Wednesday’s Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase (4:20) is the highlight of the six days. It’s the first of the big handicap chases of the autumn and a normally a competitive contest. I will be looking at some of the handicaps at Listowel over the next couple of days. Well at least until the Cambridgeshire Festival gets underway on Thursday.
Today I have a selection in the sole handicap on the Listowel card and one at Hamilton for you.
Listowel
3:10 – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle – 2m 4f
Gordon Elliott had a three timer at Navan yesterday and has the likely race favourite in Royal Eagle. The filly got off the mark at the third attempt when running out a decisive winner of a novice hurdle at the Galway Festival. She showed she remained in form when winning on the flat at Tramore last month. Well suited to a sound surface she looks likely to make more progress on handicap hurdle debut, off a workable mark.
It’s a competitive race though and a back to form Sean Says must be respected as should Highland Penny. The latter got a good front running ride when winning a Tramore novice hurdle (2m 5f) in June. The 6-year-old has plenty of ability as she showed last time but hasn’t always been the most consistent of mares. If she can back up her latest effort off a 107-day break she should prove to be the biggest rival to the favourite. Trainer Ray Cody is 2-4 +16 with his hurdlers at the Listowel festival since 2016.
1pt win – Highland Penny – 6/1 – Gen and 1pt win – Royal Eagle – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Hamilton
3:30 – Zig Zag Zyggy isn’t the most reliable, but he is a four time course winner including two over C&D. The 7-year-old posted a seasonal best when a 1 ¾ length 3rd of 9 here over 6f 18-days ago. The drop back to the minimum trip on soft ground looks a positive. He shaped last time like he could be able to take advantage of a declining mark and he is 2-4 in September.
1pt win – Zig Zag Zyggy – 9/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John