Listowel and Ayr Festivals Review

This week rather than looking forward to the next big race I think it is worthwhile to review the action at Listowel and Ayr. Both meetings attract very good crowds and quality racing too. I was on my brothers four day stag at Listowel which is an endurance test that I failed. Let’s say if the stag was compared to the English Grand National I fell at Becher’s Brook first time round!

Right back to the racing and it was a thoroughly enjoyable and very profitable week both at Listowel and Ayr from a betting perspective. The draw was crucial at Ayr and helped me stick with eye catcher Highland Colori in the Ayr Gold Cup. He was added to my eye catchers when finishing 4th in the Bunbury Cup behind Field of dreams. We always had placed horses in the Bronze and Silver Cup handicaps at 14/1 & 28/1. One of these horses makes this week’s eye catchers list and will win soon.

Funnily, whilst enjoying a full Irish Breakfast on Friday Morning we were discussing how good Oisin Murphy is and low and behold the next day he goes and has a four timer! A neighbouring diner informed us eagerly that Oisin is the nephew of Jim Culloty, who will be always be associated with three time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate. Oisin can go right to the top in the hands of Andrew Balding similar to the recent rise of William Buick out of the same stable.

Listowel on the south west coast of Ireland gets more than its fair share of rain but last week the weather was good and the ground was yielding most days. Listowel races signals the start of the national hunt season in my eyes and there was some excellent winners last week not least White Star Line romping to victory in the Kerry National. He looked very good and might turn out to be a Grand National winner in time.

There is little doubt that the public love & cherish jump racing much more so than the flat. On mixed cards days at Listowel, the crowds would swell just as the jumps action kicked off. I enjoy flat racing but jumps is much more exciting. The race of the week from a future perspective for me was a maiden hurdle run on the Friday. Three horses from that race are added to our eye catchers and that does not include the winner!

The Cambridgeshire handicap at Newmarket takes centre stage this weekend but really what we all want to see is the return of our national hunt stars from last year. Imagine the Cheltenham Showcase meeting is just over three weeks away. Bring it on, ASAP!

Do take a look at our Updated September Eye Catchers list. There are 16 new entries!

 

Best of Luck,

Nicky

P.S.  Next Year at Ayr look for a high draw & Listowel go with a low weight in the Kerry National