HELVIC Dream, controversially demoted from first place in the Galway Hurdle, could aim for compensation at Listowel later this month.

The seven-day Listowel Harvest Festival starts on Sunday week, September 21st, and trainer Noel Meade has entered Helvic Dream for the €100,000 William Hill-sponsored two-mile handicap hurdle on the Friday of the Festival. The former Group 1 winner on the flat finished third in the Listowel race last year and is engaged on the flat at Leopardstown today (Saturday).

Meade said: “He’s in good form and we’ll see how he runs this weekend before deciding on Listowel. Even though he was placed in the race last year I am not sure Listowel really suits him.”

The Co Meath trainer has also entered his Galway Plate runner-up Jesse Evans for the €200,000 Guinness Kerry National on Wednesday week but says he is a doubtful runner. “I haven’t looked at the entries but I am told Jesse Evans is the highest-rated of them. I’m not keen on asking him to carry top weight on his first attempt over three miles in a race of that nature, especially if the ground turns. He’s more likely to run in the Grade 2 PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park in early October.”

Of the 32 Kerry National entries, Gordon Elliott trains five and Willie Mullins trains four. Eric McNamara, who has such a good record at Listowel and has been in fine form of late, also has four entries including new recruit French Dynamite.

The sole British-trained entry is Light N Strike, trained by Micky Bowen.

Ticket prices for Listowel start at €20 and children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Discounts are available if tickets are booked online in advance. There are special offers on seven-day tickets or when 20 or more tickets are purchased for a single day’s racing.

The week opens on Sunday with Garvey’s SuperValu Family Day when plenty of off-track entertainment will be laid on, including a ‘most fashionable family’ competition. More details on plans for the rest of the Festival will be carried in next week’s edition.

Web: listowelraces.ie