In-form Patuano bids for quick double Willie McCreery’s Patuano finds himself out again quickly in the Follow Listowel Races On Facebook Handicap today. The four-year-old gave the trainer a winner at the Curragh on 2,000 Guineas day but has been heavily penalised by the handicapper. He needs to defy an 8lb rise for his two-length win but it was a clear-cut success and there appeared to be more in the tank. Sirjack Thomas, making his debut for Johnny Murtagh, looks an interesting rival. Ger Lyons drops Shemara in trip for the Croom House Stud Irish EBF Fillies Maiden after she showed up well on her debut. That was over nearly 10 furlongs at Gowran and it appeared a clear case of her not getting home inside the final furlong. Back down to a mile she can be expected to play a prominent part, along with Dermot Weld’s Simiyna, who wears headgear for the first time after running respectably twice already. Joseph O’Brien’s Tremendous Leap looks likely to take all the beating in the www.listowelraces.ie (C & G) Maiden. Second twice and third once in his three career outings so far, he is no superstar but looks up to winning a race of this nature. Noel Meade has booked champion jockey Colin Keane to ride Verse Of Love in the St.Johns Literary Centre Handicap and that looks a pointer in itself. Second at Clonmel last time out, he might appreciate a better surface. Weld’s Shareva, a half-sister to Group Two winner Shamreen, looks to have a good opportunity in the George Fitzmaurice Handicap in first-time blinkers. She has been knocking on the door in all of her races but all her three outings this season have come on very testing ground. While she clearly handles that, being by Rip Van WIinkle she will surely appreciate being back on a decent surface. The closing Bryan McMahon (Q.R.) Race sees Cheltenham Festival winner Bleu Berry make his debut on the level after showing improved form at the end of the last jumps season. The Coral Cup hero went on to finish third in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle behind Supasundae.
