IRISH ANGLE

NAP OF THE DAY

BUTTONS AND BOWS (3.55) won with plenty in hand when well backed at Wexford last month and despite a 10lb rise, he can score again in the Handicap Chase. Pat Flynn’s seven-yearold is still rated lower over fences than he was over hurdles and there’s room for improvement. He seems to like good ground and unusually at Listowel this week the going has stayed on the decent side. Jody McGarvey is a very reliable jockey and his owner, JP McManus, never says no to a winner around Listowel.

EACH-WAY THIEF

THE featured € 80,000 Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle is a cracking heat and sees Grade 1 winner Belfast Banter top the weights off a mark of 144. He has his chance but one who could run well at a big price is ESKYLANE (2.10) for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy. He was a very smart bumper horse – even finishing ahead of Appreciate It when runner- up to Wednesday’s Kerry National winner Assemble two seasons ago. His hurdles form hasn’t been as good but there is power in the engine and if he’s fresh and well after a nice summer break he can feature.

ONE TO WATCH

SIN A BHFUIL (1.40) is an interesting runner in the opening maiden hurdle. He’s trained by Emmet Mullins and owned by his aunt Sandra McCarthy – a sister of trainers Willie, Tony and Tom Mullins. He’s a wellbred individual and is a half- brother to smart jumpers Charbel and Ajero. This is his first hurdles start having run in five bumpers — winning one at

Bellewstown — and his form has generally been pretty decent. His latest effort in a 1m4f maiden at Tramore wasn’t bad either and he should be there or thereabouts.

ONE TO SWERVE

CIEL DE NEIGE (2.10) is a horse that makes life hard on himself and often doesn’t do a lot when getting himself into a winning position. He’s talented, no doubt, but might be worth taking on in today’s feature. Despite some good runs in good company, one win from 14 starts tells its own story.