IRISH ANGLE

NAP OF THE DAY

THE €60,000 Liam

Healy Memorial

Lartigue Hurdle Handicap Hurdle is the big feature on day two of the Listowel Festival and is a hugely competitive content for good prizemoney. PRAIRIE DANCER (3.35) ran a mighty race to finish third in the Galway Hurdle for Joseph O’Brien and a 2lbs hike might not be enough to stop him winning this. He likes to make the running and that’s often a wise tactic around Listowel and he certainly is the form pick.

EACH WAY THIEF

BUTTONS AND BOWS (4.05) has been edging back to something like his best in recent outings and should be very much in the mix in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. The Pat Flynn trained filly ran her best race for some time in a flat handicap at Clonmel earlier this month and should be nicely tuned up for this. She’s also 10lbs lower than her last winning mark.

ONE TO WATCH

THE opening Mares maiden hurdle sees Willie Mullins run three fillies that have won bumpers in recent times and Paul Townend’s decision to partner CARRIGMOORNA QUEEN (2.35) looks likely to see her start favourite.

She won at the Galway festival and looks an exciting prospect who should improve plenty for her hurdling debut. She’s plenty of size and is bred to stay and could even be one for the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham next March.

ONE TO SWERVE

THE John F McGuire Beginners Chase should be a good match between Adamantly Chosen and Grand Roi with both rated in the 140s over timber.

Gordon Elliott’s GRAND ROI (5.05) is a Grade 2 winner over hurdles and should make a nice chaser in time but preference is for the Mullins’ trained inmate — who perhaps never fulfilled his potential over hurdles and likely has more in the locker over fences.