LISTOWEL Tuesday Preview Day 3

The Ground has really ruined the meeting and its probably not a place to get too involved as some freaky results even some soft ground horses struggling there. We got a few things right yesterday but still caution is the key the way the ground has deteriorated. The ground at Listowel is heavy (Flat), heavy (soft to heavy in places) for the National Hunt. There was 4mm of rain overnight with a forecast for sunshine and showers today and tomorrow.

There will be no stalls in operation for the 1m 4f and 1m 6f races at Listowel for the remainder of the week. Today's three mile chase will be run on the inside track.
The three mile Kerry National Chase will be run on the outside track tomorrow. Fresh ground will be provided on the hurdle and flat tracks tomorrow.
Island hurdles will be in use on the outside track at Listowel today. Nota great card for punting !

2.35Jet O'Carroll Memorial Median Auction Maiden of €14,000.00 2-y-o


Janna's Jingle was well supported in Gowran but was never a factor although she ran on well without being knocked about finishing 3rd  behind the classy  BATTLE OF MARENGO. Johnny Lynch was a real eyecatcher in 5th on his Leopardstown debut where to say Smullen was considerate is an understatement. His long absence is a slight worry but he seemed to handle bad ground in Leopardstown and that race has worked out really well. In fact in the context of this race it's very strong form ! Unless he's particularly weak in the market I think he can defy his long absence and fulfil his eyecatching run at the Foxrock circuiut. Obviously the extreme conditions negate geting heavily involved but I feel he might outclass these !
Truly Delightful is honest but one paced and will need much further,but she does act on the ground is battle hardened and will be ready to exploit if the two more scopey types fluff their lines !
VERDICT: ON a day where the racing doesn't look great JOHNNY LYNCH might be the one horse with a bit of potential and dropped into a weak contest ! As I say unless he's a huge drifter I'd expect him to land this opener on a day when solid wagers look to be scarce !
SELECTION:(1)JOHNNY LYNCH [b]*** NAP [/b] (2)JANNAS JINGLE(3)TRULY DELIGHTFUL

3.05 Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden of €14,500.00 2-y-o

The market will tell if the O Brien newcomer is fancied. Looks a far too tricky contest to get too involved with . But if you must have a punt,I'dv put up ABU NAYEF and FLAMESEEKER against the field. I was impressed with ABU NAYEF last time out in Foxrock where he ran well from a dire draw. He must go close and FLAMESEEKER despite runig green was clearly second best behind a fair tool in Gowran he in turn edged on from the rest.
VERDICT:I think unless O Brien's comes alive in the market this will be fought out by  ABU NAYEF and FLAMESEEKER

5-35 Captain Christy Maiden Hurdle of €10,000.00 6-y-o plus

Just 3 count here in this observers view ! Truckin All Night was punted in Killarney and looked a winner early in the straight but MAGIC SPEAR came there as if he'd just joined in and sprinted clear,he's probably above an average type for a Killarney maiden hurdle,so Jimmy Mangan's charge wasn't disgraced! Truckin All Night jumped the last two hurles poorly particularly the last and did well to get back up for second under a good educational Geraghty ride ! If his jumping improves he must go closer today ! Dani Cataloniafinally broke her duck in a Tramore Bumper,she  led over a furlong out before going on to beat Sitcom by a length and three quarters. That was on heavy ground but her trainer feels good ground would be preffered for her ! She has since run a fair 4th in a Roscommon Maiden hurdle so she should be ripe to run well on hurdles debut !
PARK RANGER is a pure rogue but has undoubted ability but saves a bit for himself ! Yet his hurdling form is Top Class with a Cork 2nd to REBEL FITZ and an unlucky 2nd to CARLINGFORD LOUGH in Roscommon his best form by far ! But he has dissapointed so many times,in Listowel in June he was long odds on and being niggled when he took a crashing fall. Most recently he kept on late in a Gowran flat race and ran ok for long way in 3rd behind a good horse in another Gowran Maiden Hurdle. He's tried in blinkers now again instead of Cheek Pieces and he wore these when successful on the flat at this meeting last year. In fact his last two wins have come wearing blinkers rather than cheekpieces ! He loves the ground and has plenty of ability but is a bit quirky but if they go a good gallop and he picks up the bit he could get towed into the race late on hopefully on the bridle as he doesn't find a lot off it !!
VERDICT I'm going to go with two against the field,despite all his quirks PARK RANGER has huge ability and loves the ground and is a second season novice,I'd forgive his Gowran 3rd he had a heavy fall here in June and was given a tender enough ride around the Kilkenny circiut in that particular maiden hurdle. I think it's between him and TRUCKIN ALL NIGHT who if he smartens up his jumping might be very hard to beat ! So I'm going to oppose DANI CATALONIA on the basis she lacks experience which on this ground is vital over hurdles !
SELECTION:Backing PARK RANGER and TRUCKIN ALL NIGHT against the field

Not a day for serious punting in light of the dire conditions but thats my view on a poor days racing !