15:05 Listowel

Wednesday 13 September 2017

All14:0514:3515:0515:3516:0516:3517:0517:35

Edmund & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:08 | Winning time: 2m 5.65s

(10)

Canary Row^v²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Ronan Whelan| T: P J Prendergast| OR: 97| C

7/1

Game sort has won two of his last four and running as good as ever, latest success in 1m Listed Killarney contest 21 days ago. Will handle the conditions, yet to win beyond 1m but thriving.

Form: 831431

(7)

Aussie Valentine^p,t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: C O'Donoghue| T: P D Deegan| OR: 89| D

16/1

Gelding has 2-22 record on turf, without a win since April 2015, finished 2¼L second behind Riven Light in four-runner race over this trip recently. Hard to see how that form is going to be reversed.

Form: 333052

(9)

Dream Walker^t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: B Ellison| OR: 95

7/1

Experienced campaigner, won valuable 7f handicap at the Galway Festival last month, perhaps given a bit much to do over the mile since at the Curragh. Will handle ground and goes on shortlist.

Form: 849310

(4)

Riven Light¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: K J Manning| T: W P Mullins| OR: 105| D

11/8

In cracking form since switching to the Flat for champions jumps trainer. Winner on two of previous three starts and a shade unfortunate in a race won by Dream Walker at Galway. Handles this trip and a big player once again seemingly.

Form: 14/3151

(8)

Savannah Storm⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 100

12/1

Last two starts over 1m6f have been poor, previous run at Roscommon over 1m3½f on good to yielding in Listed contest in July gives him claims. Lightly-raced and not to be overlooked easily.

Form: 10-2378

(2)

Zawraq³²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: P J Smullen| T: D K Weld| OR: 105| BF

11/2

Once a highly thought-of Classic contender in 2015, has had problems and run only once since, finishing second in Listed Leopardstown race (1m2f) last October. Again has fitness / well-being to prove and market may serve as a best guide.

Form: 11/2-

(1)

Dew Line⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Gary Carroll| T: M Mulvany| OR: 85| CD

33/1

Mare has won over C&D in 2016 in handicap company, but form this year leaves plenty to be desired and will be a big shock if she's good enough to win this.

Form: 44-0776

(6)

Jeremys Joy^h²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: R P Downey| T: K H Clarke| OR: 88| D

25/1

Mare won on seasonal bow at Roscommon last month (1m4f, soft) before going down 8½L next time at Killarney in a decent handicap. This is a step up in class and poses a tough question.

Form: 1500-16

(5)

Bengala^h⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J M Oxx| OR: 94

11/2

Expensive purchase, won her maiden on debut at Leopardstown over 1m2f (soft) in April, highly-tried in group races in two of three runs since, should be more at home returned to Listed company and yard are in form.

Form: 1359

Non-Runners

(3)

Aasheq⁵⁷

Weight: 9-9| Age: 4

T: D K Weld J: L F Roche

Forecasts

Riven Light (11/8), Zawraq (11/2), Bengala (11/2), Canary Row (7/1), Dream Walker (7/1), Savannah Storm (12/1), Aussie Valentine (16/1), Jeremys Joy (25/1), Aasheq (25/1), Dew Line (33/1)

It is hard to oppose the claims of RIVEN LIGHT, thriving since turned to the Flat by Willie Mullins. He has plenty scope for more in this sphere and beat some of these with a degree of ease last time out. He's arguably unlucky not to be coming here on a four-timer but for some poor luck at Galway and should mount another bold bid. Zawraq merits a check in the market, though his lack of a run might cost him and he has clearly had his share of setbacks. Canary Row is in great heart at the moment and should give another solid account while Bengala and Savannah Storm are potential improvers.