Attention switches back to jumps action in Listowel today.
Joseph O’Brien’s Top Moon might overcome his inexperience and run a big race in the featured, Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Handicap Hurdle.
The Spanish Moon gelding, third to Sinoria in a listed event at
Punchestown in February, failed to win a bumper and has raced only twice over hurdles.
He brushed aside the modest Zayriyan when long odds-on for a
Kilbeggan maiden last month and, although he has been done no favours by the handicapper, getting an initial mark of 126, he’s unexposed and a fascinating contender here, with in-form Darragh O’Keeffe claiming 3lb.
Top Moon will be one of three challenger owned by J P McManus, also responsible for classy top-weight Gardens Of Babylon (also trained by Joseph O’Brien) and Jessica Harrington’s Morosini, the choice of Mark Walsh.
Elsewhere on a tough, seven-race card, Barrington Court, representing the McManus/Harrington combination, appeals in the opening Jet O’Carroll Memorial Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Off the track since flopping at Naas in January, she won a listed mares bumper impressively in Navan back in November and, if the market speaks in her favour, should be tough to beat.
And, although pulled up in the Guinness Galway Hurdle (his first outing for more than 16 months), the Willie Mullins-trained Sayo, third to Farclas in the 2018 Triumph Hurdle, appeals on his fencing bow in the John F McGuire Beginners Chase.
Peter O’Hehir's tips for Listowel
2.05.Barrington Court (Nap)
2.35.Whatucallher
3.05.Commandant
3.35.Top Moon
4.05.Unexpected Depth
4.40.Sayo
5.15.Harrison Line
Next Best
2.05.Blazing Emily
2.35.Weihnachts
3.05.Thecraicisninety
3.35.Morosini
4.05.Peaches And Cream
4.40.Jack Dillinger
5.15.Hopefully
Double: Barrington Court and Sayo.
O’Hehir’s Longshot: Penny Out (4.05.)
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