Quick return for Golden Storm

Saddling more than one winner on any day of the Listowel festival is a notable feat but it could be worth betting that Frances…

Saddling more than one winner on any day of the Listowel festival is a notable feat but it could be worth betting that Frances Crowley bucks the trend this afternoon.

The Co Kilkenny trainer gives Monday's impressive hurdles winner, Golden Storm, a quick reappearance in the mile and a half handicap and his proven ability to act on the ground should be quite an asset.

The Crowley-trained Aberdeenshire is also proven on a soft surface and the Galway winner will be a popular choice in the bumper; but Crowley could also be the one to land the featured £25,000 Smithwicks Handicap Hurdle.

It's an intensely competitive nine-runner race, with Pat Hughes saddling the top two in the handicap and Christy Roche trying to maintain his vintage Listowel with Rith Dubh.

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However, Tisrabraq showed his ability to act on a testing surface when having Akasian and Rith Dubh behind him at Tralee and Barry Geraghty's mount could represent a touch of each-way value.

The Sadler's Wells colt Leopard Spot makes a quick reappearance from his short head second to Northern Rock at the Curragh on Sunday, and while he may not be the most dependable two-year-old at Ballydoyle, he should still be too good for the Galway runner-up, Backcraft.

Brown Paddy's experience may just give him an edge in the beginners chase; and the bottomweight Will She What is a tentative choice in the handicap hurdle.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column