IRISH RACING: The Listowel authorities will continue to water ahead of Monday's festival kick-off but the ground yesterday remained "good to firm" and a break in the weather is only expected towards the end of the week.
That is not good news for the top English trainer Philip Hobbs who has stated that the Guinness Kerry National topweight Gladiateur is unlikely to run if the going is fast.
Gladiateur is one of three cross-channel-trained horses among the 34 that were left in at yesterday's forfeit stage. Mac's Supreme was a British-trained winner of the festival highlight only two years ago.
The home entry is headed by the Galway Plate hero Rockholm Boy while Ruby Walsh looks likely to ride General Charlemont for Paul Nicholls.
Yesterday, the Listowel manager Brendan Daly, in his 51st year in charge, reported "brilliant sunshine" at the north Kerry course.
"We have been watering since Wednesday and we will keep going over the weekend. The forecast is good well into the week and becoming unsettled towards the end," he said.
It will be the first seven-day festival in the 144-year history of racing at Listowel. The festival went to six days only 10 years ago.
Southern racegoers will be hoping to get their festival expenses at Cork today where the feature is the €40,000 Goffs Autumn Bonus. It looks a good opportunity for Desert Glow to win on just her second start.
By Machiavellian out of a Danzig mare, Desert Glow should relish the fast ground and the form of her debut when third to the potentially top-class Reach For The Moon and the subsequent winner Spring Clean looks good enough for this.
Grecian Myth was a Clonmel winner last time and yet still starts in the apprentice handicap off a 2lb lower mark than when he won the same race two years ago.
Perfect Touch travelled extremely well throughout over five furlongs at the Curragh last weekend only to be edged out by the specialist sprinters.
The hike up to six furlongs today should be ideal for the Roscommon and Leopardstown winner as should the fast going.
Embassy Belle is up 13lb from a last winning start but it still looks okay compared to Peace Angel who is 20lb higher. Michael Grassick's filly looks to hold the edge in the mile handicap while the drop in trip for the amateur chase should suit Royal Jake.
