The fourth day of Listowel's marathon week long racing festival begins at 2.05pm tomorrow with Galway Hurdle hero Sabadilla making his reappearance in the featured €50,000 Smithwicks Beer Handicap Hurdle.
The race, on paper, looks a credit to the handicapper with any one of a dozen horses appearing to have realistic chances of success. Pat Verling's Sabadilla has been raised 10lbs for his Galway win and, although not without a chance, may find that extra weight too much concede to some of these rivals.
In this open contest, it may be worth taking a chance with Christy Roche's Measure Of The Man. Carrying just 9st12lbs, Measure Of The Man put in an impressive round of jumping when landing a beginners chase at Tramore and, although he hasn't raced over the smaller obstacles since July, Mark Walsh's seven pound claim will further help his chances here.
The opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden was won by Alamshar last year but has attracted just five runners now, with the race likely to prove a match between Dermot Weld's newcomer Media Asset and Aidan O'Brien's once raced Mikado.
Mikado proved an expensive loser at 2/5 favourite at Tipperary last week but ran on well for a never nearer second behind Opera Comique. Mikado, a son of Saddler's Wells, appeared to be very green that day and should improve from the experience.
Trainer Jim Bolger and stable jockey Kevin Manning have realistic chances of a double with Tus Maith in the 3YO Maiden and top weight Fluirseach in the Helena Sheahan Memorial Handicap. Both horses finished second on their last starts and can improve enough to win their respective races.
The concluding winners' bumper is likely to prove a big betting contest with seven horses bidding to complete two wins in a row. Preference is for Lohort Castle who may provide some value after her win at Galway last week.
