Kevin Blake

2:00 ALLMAN CONTRACTS LIMITED BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 1F

The one that sets the standard is the Gordon Elliott-trained Plan A. The seven-year-old has shown himself to be a useful hurdler in the past, but has of yet to reach the same heights over fences. He has shown hints of promise since returning from a year off during the summer and a return to his previous best over fences will make him tough to beat. However, he has a very interesting newcomer to chasing to deal with in the shape of the Willie Austin-trained Blacklough. The six-year-old has progressed nicely over hurdles and is now rated 135, which means he will take all the beating if taking to fences.

Selection: BLACKLOUGH

Next Best: Plan A

2:35 CHARLIE CHUTE MEMORIAL HANDICAP CHASE (0-109) 2M 1F

The J.P. McManus silks always warrant the utmost respect in handicap chases and the Tom Mullins-trained Baby Whizz looks to have strong claims. It took him long enough to get the hang of chasing, but he has started to progress in recent months, winning at Killarney and Galway. He still seems to be off a fair mark and with this shorter trip being unlikely to inconvenience him, he is likely to go very well. Racing prominently has proven to be a fair advantage all week long and with that in mind, the Peter McCreery-trained Old Supporter could well make a bold bid from the front.

Selection: BABY WHIZZ

Next Best: Old Supporter

3:10 CLIEVERAGH HANDICAP CHASE 0-123) 3M

Another competitive handicap chase and Paul Nolan might have the answer in the shape of Behemoth. The five-year-old has quickly shown himself to be a better chaser than hurdler, winning a maiden chase at Tramore prior to running very well in a valuable handicap chase at Killarney last time. Conditions will suit and another bold bid should be forthcoming from him. Another one to consider is the British raider, the Fergal O’Brien-trained Me And Ben, who ran very well at the Galway Festival.

Selection: BEHEMOTH

Next Best: Me And Ben

3:45 JOHN LYNCH MEMORIAL MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

Aidan O’Brien has been doing well with the small number of horses he is running over hurdles and he is likely to have another winner here with Waver. The four-year-old is rated 78 on the flat and made an encouraging hurdling debut at Galway last time, finishing second to West Montan. He seems sure to improve from that and will take all the beating. The one that is likely to give him the most to think about is the Dessie Hughes-trained Flight Plan on his return to hurdling following a somewhat wayward success in a bumper at Killarney last time.

Selection: WAVER

Next Best: Flight Plan

4:20 CASHEN NOVICE HURDLE 2M

It will be tough to beat is the Jessica Harrington-trained Rae’s Creek. He made an impressive winning hurdling debut at Ballinrobe and while he will need to improve to follow up in this, he could well improve enough to go close. The main danger and standard setter is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Draco. The five-year-old may have failed to win in seven starts in bumpers, but he has quickly looked a better horse over hurdles, winning a maiden at Bellewstown and running very well over a trip that was perhaps longer than ideal at Galway last time.

Selection: RAE’S CREEK

Next Best: Draco

4:55 M.J. CARROLL ARRO HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 4F

Willie Mullins is always to be feared with his representatives in handicap hurdles and his Ask Vic looks to be the one in this. The daughter of Old Vic has won two of her three starts over hurdles, including a maiden over this course and distance, and she looks fairly treated for her handicap hurdle debut. Her most interesting rival is perhaps the Gordon Elliott-trained Brand Ambassador after he made a winning return from two years off in a maiden hurdle at Navan last time.

Selection: ASK VIC

Next Best: Brand Ambassodor

5:30 BALLYGRENNANE MARES (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M

Not the strongest of mares’ bumpers and a good opportunity for the Denis Hogan-trained Troubled Soul to get off the mark. The daughter of Definite Article had shaped with promise over hurdles prior to finishing a never-nearer second in a bumper at Galway last time. A more positive ride will make her tough to beat. The best of the rest looks to be the Willie Mullins-trained Grangeclare Rosa, for all that she proved a bit disappointing when sent off as favourite at Kilbeggan last time.

Selection: TROUBLED SOUL

Next Best: Grangeclare Rosa

6:00 LISTOWEL RACES SUPPORTERS CLUB SLAN ABHAILE (Q.R.) RACE 1M 6F

This final race of the Listowel Harvest Festival can often attract some classy types and this year is no different. The one that sets the standard is the Tony Martin-trained Ted Veale, a smart hurdler/chaser that was fancied for the Ebor at York on his latest start. His official rating of 96 coupled with the fact that he escapes a penalty in this contest will make him very difficult to beat. His most interesting rival is perhaps the Peter Fahey-trained Alton Bay, with him having created a very good impression in winning his last two starts on the flat.

Selection: TED VEALE

Next Best: Alton Bay