Its Lartigue Hurdle Day at Listowel on Thursday, and we have a selection in each of the seven races on the card. There has only been two winning favourites of the race since 2016, one of the more competitive handicaps on the week.
Listowel Tips
- 13:57 Lennon Grove
- 14:32 Of Land And Sea
- 15:07 Ole Ole
- 15:42 Kilbrin Rocco
- 16:17 Mart Lane
- 16:52 I Will Be Baie
- 17:25 Berkstar
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13:57 2m Irish EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle (4yo+)
The Gavin Cromwell team have been very quiet of late, but LENNON GROVE looks an interesting runner in the opener on Thursday. This mare was second in a P2P at Kildorrey back on 1st March 2025 and then won on her next start at Loughanmore by half a length. Her bumper form has been consistent with a win at Thurles in December 2025 when she got the better of Fastnet Crystal.
She finished second at Aintree on her last start behind Nan’s Choice in the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) and if she can translate that form to hurdles then she looks one of the main contenders.
Selection: Lennon Grove
14:32 2m Maiden Hurdle (4-5yo)
Patrick Mullins created a few headlines when he went extremely wide on OF LAND AND SEA to win at Limerick back in February. That victory was enough to see it take its place in the Champion Bumper but ultimately finish last of the twenty-one runners behind The Mourne Rambler. It also ran below par at Punchestown, but this doesn’t look a strong race for hurdles introduction and if it takes to the discipline, it could run a nice race.
Selection: Of Land And Sea
15:07 2m Listowel Races Supporters Club Lartigue Hurdle (Handicap) In Memory Of John Molyneaux (Listed Race) (4yo)
Willie Mullins has only won this race once since 2016 and that was last year with Last Kingdom. Only two winning favourites of this race since 2016 also show that is one of the most fiercely contested handicaps of the week.
OLE OLE could be a topical winner with the Republic Of Ireland in Nations League action later in the evening. The Gavin Cromwell trained runner was at the back of the field when unsighted and coming down in the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle and then won at Bellewstown on next start with the hood applied for the first time. It had a recent pipe-opener for this when finishing midfield in the Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race.
The handicap mark of 123 could underestimate his ability and with luck in running he should be involved in the finish.
Selection: Ole Ole
15:42 2m Handicap Hurdle (4yo+)
Eoin McCarthy sends an army of runners to Listowel and is double handed in a race that he has won in two of the last four years. KILBRIN ROCCO who has been running off higher marks over fences looks well handicapped on return to hurdles. His mark over fences is 105 and he gets in here off a mark of 90 and it may suggest that this has been somewhat of a plan.
He was well backed to win at Tramore three starts back and was second on his next start off a mark of 103. He will be tough to keep out of the frame.
Selection: Kilbrin Rocco
16:17 2m4f Handicap Hurdle (4yo+)
Barry Connell has his team in excellent form of late with two seconds and a winner from his previous three runners. MART LANE was a shade unlucky at Galway to get caught close home and the handicap mark has gone from 104 to 108 for that defeat. He is relatively lightly raced and there should be more improvement to come. The tongue strap that was adopted for the first time last time will be used again this time.
Selection: Mart Lane
16:52 2m6f Beginners Chase (4yo+)
Willie Mullins sends four runners to post here and the fact that Paul Townend has chosen I WILL BE BAIE off the back of a 964 day break, it really catches the eye. A P2P winner for Colin Bowe in 2022 at Taylorstown, he was second at Punchestown in a bumper on debut and then broke his duck at Galway on next start. A hurdle winner at Fairyhouse in January 2024 and was last seen at the DRF in Grade 1 company a month later. He looks a very interesting runner and recruit to the larger obstacles.
Selection: I Will Be Baie
17:25 2m INH Flat Race (4yo)
The last race of the day could provide Willie Mullins with another winner on the day as himself and Patrick team up with BERKSTAR who was second in a P2P at Kirkistown back on the 21st March of this year. He is a half-brother to a five time winner over jumps called Topkapi Star and with a little speed and stamina in the pedigree it should suggest a big performance from the Closutton runner.
Selection: Berkstar
Listowel Tips
- 13:57 Lennon Grove
- 14:32 Of Land And Sea
- 15:07 Ole Ole
- 15:42 Kilbrin Rocco
- 16:17 Mart Lane
- 16:52 I Will Be Baie
- 17:25 Berkstar
