Irish Horseracing Betting: Listowel Friday

005 Irish Racing / Wayne Bailey / 19 September 2008 / Leave a Comment

Wayne Bailey marks your card for today's races at Listowel...

2:05 - John J. Galvin Maiden Hurdle (Div I) (5yo)

Those that organize the fixtures haven't gone easy on us with the opening race; a maiden hurdle for five-year-olds that is a massive puzzle. I won't be heavily involved cash wise, but Global Position looks the obvious choice. He's been knocking on the door for a while now, and although he was well beaten last time out at Down Royal, he kept going and finished strongly.

Advice: Back Global Position (small stakes)

2:35 - McElligotts Tralee Landrover Maiden Hurdle (Div II of 2.05) (5yo)

The second half of this hurdle is just as tricky, and if this was Sudoku, it would be in the extra difficult section. I'm not big on so-called tips, but the word on the grapevine is that Copsiano is training very well for Morris, and might find his way to the winners' enclosure. He hasn't been seen since January, but each of his runs to date showed promise and I'd expect to hear a bit more about him in the upcoming season.

Advice: Back Copsiano

3:05 - Jet O'Carroll Memorial Novice Hurdle (4yo+)

Noel Meade's Jewel Of The West emptied a lot of wallets at Galway and those backers will be cautious today. However, he never really settled that day and I think he was simply uncomfortable. I'm going to forgive him this once, and reckon he'll return to form. No doubt that Meade will prepare him well, but No Full is a tough cookie and won't let him win easy. I'll keep the latter on my side in the place market just in case.

Advice: Back Jewel Of The West to win, back No Full to place.

3:35 - John Fletcher Memorial Handicap Hurdle (4yo+,81-123)

This is a decent enough handicap, but a case could be made for quite a few of these so I'm taking a cautious approach and backing two horses to be placed. Burren Bob has gotten a hike in the weights since his win at Down Royal, but may still have enough in the tank to make the frame. Bobs Hope has been disappointing this season but he's shown a certain level of promise in most of his races, and this race may be right up his street.

Advice: Back both Burren Bob and Bobs Hope in the place market.

4:10 - Dawn Milk Handicap Chase (4yo+)

The first chase on the card, and not a bad race too. At first glance, Reisk Superman was the horse that stood out. He's cost me a few quid however, and his inconsistency bothers me a bit. He often knocks up a few wins, and then flops next time out. The handicapper may have caught up with him and I reckon he'll struggle with topweight. Instead, I'm taking a chance on the horse owned by 'the racing priest' Father Sean Breen. Show Blessed has performed well on both flat and jumps this year, and ten stone seven is not a huge burden all considered.

Advice: Back Show Blessed in the win and place markets.

4:45 - Guinness Beginners Chase (Div I) (4yo+)

I'm not a big fan of beginners' chases, so I'm keeping stakes to an absolute minimum here. Backers Bridge is a horse I feel has never shown his full potential, and gets a token vote to place in a race that seems wide open. Footie Facts looks the obvious danger.

Advice: Bakers Bridge to place.

5:20 - E L M Carey & Company Beginners Chase (Div II of 4.45) (4yo+)

Look no further than Colm Murphy's Total Victory (NAP). A very decent hurdler, he can turn his recent chase form into a win today. He's improving all the time and I believe that Murphy may have a serious horse on his hands.

5:50 - Paddy Cullagh Memorial (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race (4-7yo)

It will be interesting to see how Old Hall performs after a long break from racing. He won his debut under rules in a bumper last December, and performed well on the point-to-point scene previously. If he's fit and well, he should take all the beating.

Advice: Back Old hall to win.