Hasanour (Shane Foley) winning at the Curragh last month© Photo Healy Racing
A good pot for Friday's Guinness Handicap has attracted a quality field for the feature event at Listowel on the penultimate day of their Festival meeting.
Michael Halford 's Irish Cambridgeshire third Hasanour bids to continue his progression in the nine-furlong contest. He was narrowly defeated at the Curragh last time in an ultra-competitive heat, trying to defy a 5lb penalty for his impressive victory at the course just the previous week.
He now runs off the mark he was given for his win at the Curragh, meaning he carries 4lb more than last time.
Connections will be hoping he can overcome that rise as the Giant's Causeway gelding, who started his racing career in a bumper, steps up a furlong. Breathe Easy heads into the €50,000 contest on a hat-trick after scoring at the Curragh on his last two outings.
Sabrina Harty 's gelding has been another big improver and battled gamely to score last time. He has gone up 4lb for his latest success, his fourth this year. Front-runners have been making hay at the track this week and given that the Redback gelding likes to lead, he could make them all work. Davids Park fourth in the Leopardston Guineas trial earlier in the year, is an interesting runner returning from an absence, while Vector Force also returns from a small break having scored at Naas when last seen in July.
There is also some good action over fences on the eight-race mixed card, with six lining up in the Southampton Goodwill Chase. Art Of Logistics appears to be best treated at the weights in the two-and-a-half mile contest. Dessie Hughes' charge was twice a winner at Punchestown in early summer before failing to make much impression in the Galway Plate.
He ran better over this trip at Killarney last time and looks to have found a nice opportunity to get back to winning ways. Sizing Italy returns to fences after a spin on the Flat at Killarney last month. He had some smart novice chase form last year, including when chasing home Rebel Fitz at Galway, and should appreciate returning to jumping.
Jackonslady could make a quick return to action in the race having been seventh in the Kerry National on Wednesday. Lucky Pat looks an interesting contender in the Listowel Printing Works Maiden earlier on the card. Dot Love's gelding won his bumper at Galway before an impressive performance over timber at Kilbeggan last time.
He is well regarded by connections who have always felt that he is capable of winning on the level.
