Wise Oscar © Photo Healy Racing
The Listowel Festival heads into its fifth day when the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle is the feature event.
The Tony Martin-trained Pires has been in fine form all summer and after striking over fences at Ballinrobe last month, attempts to capitalise on a comparatively lenient timber figure.
His stable companion Redera is a lively danger with Ruby Walsh on board, while Days Ahead and Mahrajaan renew rivalry after fighting out the finish of a Flat handicap at Gowran Park.
Martin and Walsh have leading claims in the Devon Inn Hotel Handicap Hurdle courtesy of Victrix Gale, who laughed at her rivals at the Galway Festival, although she now has a 13lb rise to contend with.< White Star Line has made the frame at two Cheltenham Festivals but remains a maiden over fences and attempts to put that right in the Kevin McManus Beginners Chase.
Owega Star is yet to transfer his quality timber form to this sphere so perhaps the chief threat comes in shape of Clonbanan Lad, who has mixed it in top company during his career to date.
The pick of the Flat action is the Friends Of Tony Wright Memorial Handicap, in which Aidan O'Brien's Victory Song tries to build on his recent Curragh maiden success.
Ibsen is declared to appear just two days after finishing down the field over hurdles here, while Fulminata also makes a swift reappearance, with Jim Bolger's filly striving to defy a 5lb penalty for Monday's facile win in the Speedy's Bars Moyvane & Ballylongford Handicap.
Silver Lightening, Late Rosebud and Madam Mo have had plenty of chances but something has surely got to give in the opening Tote Jackpot Guarantee Median Auction Maiden at 2.35, while Deep Speed chased home the aforementioned Victory Song at the Curragh and plenty will expect him to go one better in the Greenville Maiden.
