Pirateer looks poised to pounce

HOPEFULLY, Listowel will pick up as the week progresses, because what’s on offer this afternoon would have to be described as modest.

The hopeful nap vote falls on Pirateer in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Premier Nursery, one of three runners in the race for Aidan O’Brien. You could argue the selection may well be regarded as the Ballydoyle third choice, given that Seamus Heffernan is aboard, but most have probably given up at this stage attempting to work out the riding arrangements for this yard.

Pirateer is an ordinary horse, as evidenced by his third behind the ultra-smart Casamento and Cannon Hill at Tipperary. But if the rain comes as expected then, as a son of Danehill Dancer, he could be better suited than most by the conditions!

Joanna Morgan’s charges continue in fine shape and her Independent Girl gets the nod in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden.

She was beaten half a length into second by Dermot Weld’s Anam Allta at the Curragh and the form was boosted when the fourth, Oracle, scored at headquarters on Saturday.