Make it Mirpour

TESTING conditions and a very competitive looking programme make this afternoon’s second day at Listowel one which punters would do well to swerve as much as possible.

There’s no doubt Joe Crowley’s Urban should emerge as the safest bet on the card but his odds, unfortunately, will surely be prohibitive!

A bird in the hand, however, is better than fifty in the bush and it will be disappointing should Urban fail to deliver in the Devon Inn three-year-old Hurdle.

Useful enough on the level, he made an excellent start over jumps at the Tralee Festival beating previous winner, Young Elodie, unextended by 11 lengths.

The ground was heavy on that occasion and the manner in which Urban handled it was obviously encouraging.

Mirpour is a hopeful nap choice to land the John F McGuire Beginners Chase.

Following a creditable third behind Cloone River in the Galway Hurdle, Eoin Griffin’s five-year-old made his debut over fences at Tralee. That particular contest was also the one chosen for Cloone River’s first pop over fences and the duo enjoyed contrasting fortunes.

Cloone River produced an immaculate display of jumping to score by an unflattering three lengths.

Mirpour, though, was travelling strongly when falling three out and is fancied to gain compensation.

Jim Bolger’s Galarini, if he handles the surface, is the one to beat in the Kirbys’ Brogue Inn-Kirbys’ Lantern Hotel Median Auction Maiden.

Third behind Aidan O’Brien’s well-regarded Mullins Bay and Knock Abbey Castle over ten furlongs at the Curragh last time, he may benefit from a sharp drop in trip now!