15:35 Listowel

Tuesday 10 September 2019

All14:0514:3515:0515:3516:0516:4017:15

Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle (Handicap) (Grade B)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 3m 52.3s

Gardens of Babylon^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: H Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 142| D

8/1

In good form in the spring the gelding can be forgiven below-par run at the Galway festival last month. Yard landed the spoils in this contest 12 months ago with Gold Seal.

Form: 2232-10

Hannon^t³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: D J McInerney| T: J C McConnell| OR: 131| D

7/1

Running well in defeat on the Flat, the gelding needs to up his game here back over timber. Yard won this race in 2016 with Swamp Fox.

Form: 21206-

Lethal Steps⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 127

9/1

Shaped well to win a second career hurdle win at the Galway festival when last seen in July in a novice contest over a similar trip. Trainers sole win in this contest came in the 2013 renewal with Bayan. Leading player.

Form: 135321

Zoffalee²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Dillon Maxwell⁽⁷⁾| T: A McNamara| OR: 127| D

14/1

Improving and progressive type comes here on a hat-trick of wins. Life more difficult under a penalty but very much warrants respect.

Form: 2-41211

Top Moon¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Darragh O'Keeffe⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 126| D

7/1

Travelled well before extending his lead to win by 11L on hurdling debut in a Kilbeggan maiden over this trip last month. Entitled to make the shortlist for yard who won this contest 12 months ago with Gold Seal.

Form: 235-1

Morosini⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 125| D

6/4

Winner over a similar trip in May before finishing 2L adrift of Lethal Steps at the Galway festival. Leading contender. Handlers sole win in this contest came in the 2007 renewal with Dingle Belle.

Form: 2-12

Rip Rocks Paddy Ok³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: A Slattery| OR: 123| D

33/1

Off the mark at the fifth time of asking in a 21-runner Cork maiden in June which followed a string of promising efforts. Has disappointed since and on balance has plenty to find in this contest.

Form: 96-21U3

Flindt¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: P E Corbett| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 121| D

25/1

Well held and never nearer in a couple of starts on the Flat since finishing a long way behind Morosini and Lethal Steps on last hurdling spin at the Galway festival in July.

Form: 1-5363

Nibiru^t,v1¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Phillip Enright| T: A J Martin| OR: 118

16/1

Off the mark over hurdles at the fifth time of asking at Ballinrobe in July. First-time visor fitted. Worth a check in the market representing trainer who won this race in 2015 with Golden Spear.

Form: 63-331

Blackhillsofdakota²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: J J Slevin| T: J Halley| OR: 116| D

20/1

Winning bumper found the step into Grade 2 company at Aintree in April one too far finishing well down the field before returning to form at Tramore over this trip last month. More needed in this company but capable of grabbing a place.

Form: 210-1

Coral Blue^t²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: S Fahey| OR: 115| D

25/1

Off the mark for connections at the ninth time of asking winning on soft ground in April off an 18lb lower mark. Not disgraced in four starts since and capable of a bold bid.

Form: 71-25U3

Razoul⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Donagh Meyler| T: R P Cody| OR: 114| D

14/1

Winner over hurdles at the fifth attempt when landing the spoils in a Kilbeggan maiden over a similar trip when last seen in July. Holds place claims if things fall his way.

Form: 52221

Rocky Shores^t⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: D H Kelly| OR: 114| D

25/1

Beat Razoul a neck on his latest start over hurdles at Roscommon in June off a 7lb lower mark. Concern for yard form and looks up against it in this contest.

Form: 632-1

Ashqar^t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: K J Brouder⁽⁵⁾| T: G T Lynch| OR: 105

25/1

Disappointed on latest start at Killarney last month. Overall record casts doubt on his ability to get competitive in this company.

Form: 232447

Forecasts

Morosini (6/4), Top Moon (7/1), Hannon (7/1), Gardens of Babylon (8/1), Lethal Steps (9/1), Razoul (14/1), Zoffalee (14/1), Nibiru (16/1), Blackhillsofdakota (20/1), Ashqar (25/1), Rocky Shores (25/1), Flindt (25/1), Coral Blue (25/1), Rip Rocks Paddy Ok (33/1)

The Gordon Elliott-trained, LETHAL STEPS looked to have plenty in hand when landing a competitive contest at the Galway festival finishing 2L ahead of Morosini. The pair appear capable of running big races again at the expense of the Joseph O'Brien/J P McManus pair, Gardens Of Babylon and Top Moon. the Seamus Fahey-trained, Coral Blue can go well at a price.