Listowel preview: Kieren Fallon has one scheduled ride at Listowel today, and another very interesting reserve in the maiden, but bookmakers still believe that Pat Smullen will ultimately emerge as champion jockey this season.
Smullen stretched his lead over Fallon to 13 with a winner yesterday but afterwards declared that he won't be appealing the 10-day suspension he picked up here on Tuesday.
That means he will be out of action from Thursday next to October 22nd which could leave his rival with an opening. Fallon has said he may now take the title bid more seriously but Cashmans reckon Smullen is still a hot favourite at 1 to 3.
"We reckon he could have 21 rides during those 10 racing days that Smullen is out and he might win half of them. That would still leave Fallon behind. And there is no doubt he will be riding abroad a lot as well," said Cashmans spokesman, Joseph Burke.
Fallon is rated a 2 to 1 shot to pick up his first Irish jockeys' title while Declan McDonogh and the returning Michael Kinane are both 66 to 1.
Fallon's real interest today will be in the regally-bred newcomer Sea Of Moyle in the nine-furlong maiden, provided something drops out to allow the first reserve take part.
By Giant's Causeway out of the Oaks winner Shahtoush, Sea Of Moyle wouldn't have to be brilliant to make a winning debut against the horses with form.
Millers Weir is Fallon's ride in the opening six-furlong handicap but this one's best form looks to be at the minimum trip and Tiffany Gardens will be hard to beat on the evidence of her win here on Tuesday. A 5lb penalty doesn't look enough to stop Wayne Lordan's mount.
The most valuable contest is the Guinness Handicap with the Cambridgeshire winner Kestrel Cross topping the weights. It's an ultra-competitive heat but an each-way value option could be Fly To Dubai.
This horse won four times in England earlier this year when trained by Eoghan O'Neill and his sole start to date in Ireland saw him run well at the Galway Festival.
Fly To Dubai likes to front run, which is always useful around here, and he won in England off a mark of 74 which he has today.
Banasan won the Kerry National here last year but sidestepped Wednesday's feature and instead pitches up in the conditions chase. At his best he looks good enough for these.
