The Buckley Agri New Holland Irish EBF Mares’ Maiden Hurdle, which is the opening race on day five of the Listowel Harvest Festival, is a terrific contest but Carrigmoornaspruce is a class act and can supplement the success of I’ll Sort That, who gave their trainer success in the first race here yesterday.
Declan Queally’s mare made her debut at this meeting in 2024 and finished runner-up to Amen Kate, who re-opposes, but reversed that form three times subsequently.
She went from here to Naas, where she got off the mark, and she then added a second bumper by winning at the Christmas meeting in Leopardstown.
She was a fine third to Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever in a Grade Two on her fourth outing, then second in a listed event before putting a third win on her card by taking a Grade Three at the Punchestown festival.
Clearly as tough as teak, and improving all the time, she sets a high standard and has the benefit of Michael Kenneally’s valuable 7lb claim. Amen Kate is respected, as is Run For Mahler, who has the benefit of race fitness against those near the top of the market.
Heads Up, who finished runner-up in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, makes his hurdling debut in the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle, and anything less than a winning start will be disappointing.
His trainer, John McConnell, has his team in great order, and a winner here yesterday should have boosted confidence ahead of this race. The selection, a five-year-old, ought to be better than this company and is likely to be an odds-on chance.
Mossy Fen Park can get off the mark over fences in the Thorn Plant Hire Beginners’ Chase. Henry de Bromhead’s horse hasn’t stood much racing but there is undoubted talent there, and a repeat of either of his two runs to date over fences should be enough.
Runner-up in a Grade Two over hurdles, he finished second behind Firefox on his first start over fences, and third behind the high-class Dancing City on the second occasion.
He hasn’t run since December but that shouldn’t be an issue, and he can shade the verdict from Oscars Brother.
The latter is a listed winner over hurdles but must jump better than when a fine second on his chasing debut, in May.
He did remarkably well to take the runner-up spot behind Western Fold and the form received nice boosts when the winner won the Mayo National and the Galway Plate.
Third-placed Brave Fortune also won next time, giving a further boost, and thus Oscars Brother deserves maximum respect.
Listowel:
2:15 Carrigmoornaspruce (nap)
2:50 Heads Up
3:25 Last Kingdom
4:00 Targo Flavio
4:35 Shadow Paddy
5:10 Mossy Fen Park (nb)
5:45 Saint Clovis
Next best:
2:15 Amen Kate
2:50 The Man’s Room
3:25 Messerschmitt
4:00 Paul’s Dream
4:35 Malina Girl
5:10 Oscars Brother
5:45 Mahon Falls