Rhys Williams' Monday Racing Tips: Makfils to get off the mark over hurdles

Plenty went wrong on handicap debut

Listowel 14:45: Makfils 1pt win 14/1

Considering the ability that he showed on the flat in France, Makfils has been a shade disappointing so far over hurdles since joining Henry de Bromhead but he showed more promise last time at Galway on handicap debut when plenty went wrong for him.

He raced in midfield early on before diving at the third hurdle and almost sent Mike O'Connor straight over his head. O'Connor managed to keep the partnership intact but Makfils' jumping regularly lacked fluency after that. Despite that, he was still only a few lengths behind the leaders going to 2 out and he jumped that well but was hampered and almost brought down on landing. All momentum was lost and he eventually finished 27 lengths behind the winner in ninth.

After everything that had already gone wrong for him, I thought it was a credible effort from Makfils to still be in touch at 2 out and he was clearly much better than the bare result suggests. This was also a more encouraging performance from him with the tongue tie back on for the first time since leaving France and he is wearing one again today.

It may turn out that he's still just a weak finisher even with the tongue tie back on or he could jump poorly again but given that he was rated the equivalent of 80 on the flat in France, he has the potential to be better than his mark of 98 over hurdles and any 10/1 or bigger appeals.