Plenty of runners is the order of the day on the opening day of the Listowel April meeting on Saturday where the first race is due off at 2.30pm. 14 go to post for the Kerry Maid three-year-old maiden and here Martin Gunne deserves a winning bracket after several close shaves last season. Jim Bolger's inmate earned a rating of 89 last term after filling the runner-up berth no less than three times and finishing third twice. With the Coolcullen string in sparkling form he gets the vote to score.
On a competitive mixed card a maximum field of 20 are declared for the two mile handicap hurdle and here the Christy Roche-trained Caraman and Charlie Swan could prove profitable to follow running in his first handicap. The booking of Mick Kinane for Jim Gorman's Castanetta is a pointer in itself but the manner of her seasonal bow when runner-up to stable-companion Miracle Ridge at Cork two weeks ago gives her an excellent chance off just a 2lb higher mark.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
