Barnacullia (right) winning at Wexford earlier this month © Photo Healy Racing
A maximum field of 18 will line up for a typically competitive renewal of the Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Handicap Hurdle at Listowel this afternoon.
There are any number of unexposed contenders that can be fancied in the feature event of Day Two of the Harvest Festival, and the betting market has already been lively this morning.
Francis Casey ’s Palace Rock the mount of Conor Maxwell, has been supported from 9/1 into 7/2 favourite and comes here on the back of a second place finish on the Flat at Gowran Park last month.
Joseph O’Brien’s Persia fourth in a Listed novice hurdle at the Galway Festival on his most recent outing, is another well-backed contender and is into 5/1 from 11/1 while Kevin Smith’s last-time-out winner Son Of Hypnos is also a market mover from 14s into 8/1.
Michael Mulvany won this in 2017 with On The Go Again and is hopeful of a good run from Wexford maiden winner Barnacullia
The Ocavango gelding got off the mark on his fifth start over flights when scoring by an emphatic seven lengths from Trebizond (now a non-runner in today’s race) and the Kells handler, who recorded his eighth winner of the Flat season when Ideal Pal scored at Gowran on Saturday, is hopeful of further progression.
“Barnacullia is in good form and we’d be hoping for a good run,” said Mulvany.
“I wouldn’t mind a drop more rain for him as he’s a big horse.
“He’s just starting to put things together and whatever he does now, he’ll develop into a stronger horse.
“Over the years Listowel has been lucky enough for us and a lot of ours would want soft ground.”
Into 9/1 from earlier quotes of 14/1, the Hugh Morgan-partnered Barnacullia, who races in the colours of the Clearys Syndicate, will have to defy a 9lb hike in the ratings for his maiden victory but sits towards the foot of the weights with 10st 9lb on his back.
The latest going report from Listowel describes the ground as good to yielding, good in places and the Lartigue Hurdle is off at 3.50pm.
