Star Of Aragon© Photo Healy Racing
The MJ Carroll ARRO Handicap Hurdle is the feature event on the final day of the Listowel Festival meeting, and James Nash is dreaming of a second big win of the week at the Co. Kerry venue.
The Curragh trainer recorded a memorable triumph in the highlight of the seven-day fixture on Wednesday with Your Busy in the Guinness Kerry National, and Nash is now hopeful of a big run from Star Of Aragon
The dual-purpose eight-year-old has proved a grand servant to connections winning five times in all, and put up possibly a career-best effort when taking a rated hurdle at Downpatrick.
"He stayed so well the last day in the north over two and a quarter on soft ground that we felt it was time to step him up in trip and see if he can get the two and a half," said Nash.
"He's in great form but it's as high a mark as he's ever had. We're hoping that the two and a half miles might bring out a bit of further improvement. I'm looking forward to running him.
"As long as there is no firm in the ground it will be fine for him and if they get some rain that's fine as he seems to handle soft ground better as he's got older."
The Michael Hourigan-trained The Crafty Butcher is the only one ahead of Nash's charge in the weights, while others to consider in this 12-runner line-up include Ask Vic and Noah Webster The latter had Thursday's Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle winner Portrade back in third when scoring at Galway last time.
Whatever the fate of Noah Webster, his trainer Aidan O'Brien has prospects elsewhere on the eight-race card with Waver and Draco.
Waver made a promising hurdle debut when runner-up to West Montan at Galway earlier this month and is the one to beat in the John Lynch Memorial Maiden Hurdle, while Draco faces five opponents in a competitive looking Casheen Novice Hurdle.
All eyes will be on Rebel Fitz in the concluding Slan Abhaile Race but his trainer Mick Winters is also expecting a prominent showing from Jansboy in the Clieveragh Handicap Chase.
Davy Russell takes the mount on the Alflora gelding, and the Kanturk trainer commented: "He's high enough in the handicap off 118 but he likes a flat track, and we are hoping he will give a good showing. He'd like a small ease in the ground."
