Peineve can cheer Gannon

Listowel has been a good week for Cathy Gannon in her pursuit of the apprentice jockey title and Peineve can keep the run going…

Listowel has been a good week for Cathy Gannon in her pursuit of the apprentice jockey title and Peineve can keep the run going with success in today's feature. Gannon landed the €35,000 Harp Lager Handicap last year on Frosty Wind who returns for another crack at the nine-furlong event.

This time, however, the Dublin-born rider keeps faith with Peineve who scored here for her earlier in the week over a mile. That followed up a Gowran victory over seven furlongs but the extra furlong today should not be a problem as it was stamina got her home on Tuesday when she picked up a 5lb penalty.

It still leaves the in-form Tim Doyle runner at the right end of the weights and getting a substantial wedge from the likes of Fearn Royal and Frosty Wind. On ground like this every pound will count for a lot.

Another horse bucking for a second success of the week is Commoya who returns to the course and distance of his win on Monday for which he also has a 5lb penalty. Senor Benny, beaten two and a half lengths on that occasion, renews opposition and the race also sees Traverse have a second start of the season. An each-way option, however, could be Wishes Or Watches who looked all over a winner at the distance when running behind Cupid's Bay over seven furlongs here.

READ SOME MORE

Michael Kinane is on the Sadler's Wells filly Purple Spirit in the nine furlong maiden and if there has been some improvement since her Curragh debut in June when sixth to Agenda she could be the answer.

Kinane is reunited with Fit The Cove in the seven-furlong handicap and the partnership look to have a reasonable chance of scoring again. Fit The Cove won on heavy at Tipperary and his last race at Leopardstown behind Empirical Power can be ignored as he was drawn on the wide outside. There are three in the conditions chase and it's likely that Risk Accessor can go one better than his titanic effort in the Galway Plate.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

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