Weighty burden for Stand at Listowel

The Last Stand must overcome a significant rise in the weights if he is to land the Guinness Handicap Hurdle at Listowel tomorrow.

The five-year-old, who will be ridden by Davy Russell, is on a hat-trick after success on the Flat at Fairyhouse and over jumps at Tramore.

However, he has been upped 11lb following his latest victory, putting him just 5lb off top weight in the competitive 18-runner feature on day five of the seven-day fixture.

“The only thing is he got 11lb penalty for winning the last day and we will just have to see if he has improved that much,” said Gowran-based Mullins.

“It’s pretty hefty penalty, but the horse is in good form and we are very hopeful. The ground doesn’t worry us – whether it rains or it doesn’t, we don’t care.

“He’s won his last two races on the Flat and his last one over hurdles. He was a Grade Three hurdle winner as a three-year-old, so this is well within his grasp.

“We think he’s an improving horse, but we will see tomorrow.”

The weights are headed by Thomond O’Mara’s Eagle’s Pass, while a strong field also includes the Jessica Harrington-trained pair I’ll Call You Back and Woodhouse, Tony Martin’s Stage Manager, Edward O’Grady’s Salt Lake and Dbest from Joanna Morgan’s stable.