Robzelda to benefit from a drop in the distance

The summer festival circuit comes to its conclusion with Listowel the last big blow out this year. Six days of battling with the bookmakers will demand discipline from punters but Robzelda looks the type to get us off on the right foot in the opening maiden.

A third placing to the smart Immovable Option at Leopardstown over six furlongs last month indicated Eddie Lynam's horse has talent but when upped in distance earlier this month, Robzelda faded in the closing stages behind Filitosa.

Back now to six furlongs, Robzelda should be much more effective and is preferred to Beauty Go Leor who also goes down in distance after running sixth to Strategic last time.

Traditionally Listowel sees some of the top class winter performers returning to action. The Beginners Chase was won by the subsequent Arkle runner up Hill Society last year and Promalee has the potential to reach similar heights this term.

Now with Frances Crowley, Promalee was close to the top of the novice hurdle last season with the highlight coming at Aintree when beating Rainwatch and Samuel Wilderspin by six lengths plus. Promalee schooled extremely well after racing at Fairyhouse on Wednesday and with Paul Carberry up is expected to win.

The three-year-old hurdle usually also has long term significance and this time around it's hard to oppose the filly Have Merci who goes for three in a row over flights. Jessica Harrington's representative has impressed already at Roscommon and Cork and should be up to beating the Tramore winner Goldbridge and Chateau Royal who disappointed at Fairyhouse last week on his jumping debut.

The most valuable race on the card is the £15,000 Kingdom Nursery which will be a tough first leg for punters chasing part of a jackpot guaranteed for £10,000.

The impressive all the way Leopardstown winner Filitosa is sure to be well fancied as is John Oxx's Galway runner up Aparatchik. The well bred top-weight Urban Ocean can't be discounted either but it may be worth giving Willie Mullins' Gen- eral Cloney one more chance. Runner up in his last three starts, the strapping chestnut caught a tartar at Leopardstown last time when beaten by the gambled on Henry Joy and one mile and decent ground will suit.

The Aer Rianta Handicap is another difficult puzzle to work out but although Shantarini, Banjala and Strom Gem have to go on any short list, possibly Regency Rake could have too much pace for them all at the finish.

Darryll Holland was suspended for five days (September 28-30, October 1-2) for failing to ride out at Ayr.