RACING: Take the jumps out of the Lartigue Hurdle and Tender Cove would be a short price: with them in, the Paddy Mullins runner could be a value bet.
Listowel's second day handicap feature has Find The King on 12st and faced with the prolific pair Carlesimo and Mise Rafturai as well as the recent Downpatrick winner Naahil.
It's a typically competitive renewal but on flat ratings only Aquila Oculus comes close in ability to Tender Cove and she is well known for preferring the level.
Tender Cove has only had three career starts over flights, winning the first of them at Naas, running well for a long way in the Triumph and then fading at Punchestown.
The depth of his stamina is surprising considering he is a double sprint winner, finished third in the Cambridgeshire and last time out was Group Three-placed at the Curragh.
David Casey's mount would probably prefer the ground to be not quite so fast but then so would most of the others and the combination of a flat track and his latent speed make Tender Cove an attractive bet.
Naahil's performance at Downpatrick on fast ground last time out was impressive and he could cope with conditions better than most of the rest.
Carlesimo ran up a jumping streak at Kilbeggan, Bellewstown, Naas and Tipperary and will be fine on the ground but Tender Cove's sprint speed can seal it.
Aidan O'Brien's juvenile runners at Newbury on Friday looked like they needed the run after their health break.
Today the Ballydoyle trainer unveils the Danehill filly A Thousand Stars over seven furlongs but in the circumstances, Kiteflyer's experience could swing things.
The John Oxx filly was not beaten up and ran on well on her debut at Tipperary behind Jakarta Jade.
Automatic Racer was well fancied at Gowran last time but caught a fast one in Dabousiya which ran clear of her in the final furlong.
Willie Mullins' runner was unlucky on her debut at Leopardstown and can make it third time lucky today.
Royal Ulay was running in the Moyglare about this time last year, and getting to within seven lengths of Quarter Moon too.
The Tommy Stack runner has had just the one start this season and probably didn't like the ground behind National Honour at Galway. The effects of the fast going are obvious in the maiden hurdle not being divided for the first year in ages. Always Game could take advantage.
