Listowel Racecourse© Photo Healy Racing
The M.J. Carroll ARRO Handicap Hurdle at the final stage of the Listowel Harvest Festival sees championship leader Rachael Blackmore team up with her old ally John ‘Shark’ Hanlon when Mighty Stowaway goes into battle.
Hanlon is a big fan of this meeting, and while he has been light on numbers this year, the County Carlow-based handler has two chances on the concluding programme at the 2018 County Kerry extravaganza.
The featured two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase here last Sunday had been in Hanlon’s mind initially for Mighty Stowaway.
However, the ground was described as good, good to yielding in places then, and this Stowaway gelding needs soft going to be seen at his best.
The seven-year-old will likely encounter a testing surface now, and that will undoubtedly help him as he endeavours to shed his maiden tag at the 13th time of asking.
In the frame on seven occasions, including when six times runner-up, Mighty Stowaway cannot be faulted on the score of consistency.
The blinkers he wore for the first time at Galway are retained, and his owners, the Mee family, have already tasted success during the week with Exchange Rate on Thursday.
Their purple and green silks will also be carried by Mark O’Hare, when he rides Peacocks Secret for Hanlon in the Shanahan Power (Q.R.) Handicap Chase.
On outing number five for the Hanlon yard, Peacocks Secret is not without a chance, and he is certainly by the right sire in Court Cave.
That Boardsmill Stud-based stallion was responsible for the 1-2-3 in the bumper at the venue on Wednesday, as Nibblers Charm led home Eileen O and Dancing In The Sky.
On what could be a good afternoon for the Mees, their Three Wise Men and Minella Beau are worth considering for the chases at 4.40 and 5.15 respectively.
