McDonogh has strong book at Listowel Declan McDonogh has three mounts on Listowel's seven-race Flat card and is entitled to fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet at least once during the afternoon. The former champion kicks off on Lovely Dancer (officially assessed as a 71 filly) in the www.listowelraces.ie Median Auction Maiden, but in truth the addition of a hood would need to improve this one quite a bit to have any chance against the 93-rated Achnaha. Half an hour later, though, in the St John's Literary Centre Handicap, McDonogh is on a big player in Beau Satchel for Adrian McGuinness. This fellow can certainly be described as a character, having exasperated his connections until scoring at Cork last time. How often have we seen a horse like this go from strength to strength after the confidence gained with a victory, and the four-year-old can now defy a 10Ib rise in the ratings. Taglietelle did not live up to expectations in a Down Royal two-and-three-quarter-mile hurdle last time. However, his last effort on the level, when third at the Curragh in the middle of April, now reads very well, and with McDonogh back on board he could take a deal of beating in the Croom House Stud Handicap. Taglietelle's trainer Gordon Elliott has another representative too, Plan A, in the concluding Bryan MacMahon (QR) Race. Nina Carberry is booked, but coming off a lengthy break the course winner could have to play second fiddle to the other JP McManus hope, Marchese Marconi (runner-up here twice before when favourite). There are any number of potential improvers in the George Fitzmaurice Handicap. The market will have to be watched closely, but Andy Oliver is coming a long way with just the one runner, Panama Hat. A chestnut son of Medicean who carries the famous Team Valor silks, Panama Hat, who showed a glimmer of ability in his two-year-old days, could now be helped by the application of a hood.
