Shame yesterday, Rule The World travelled much like he would rule the kingdom indeed… but he didn’t quite see it out and finished only third. He’s a frustrating horse, to some extend, I guess. Nonetheless, the greyer the clouds become, the darker the mornings are, the more I get into the mood for jump racing. I have set my eye on two interesting chances at Listowel today in particular….

5.00 Listowel: Grade B Handicap Hurdle, 2m

The ground has decimated the field and should be the deciding factor in the race. The favourite makes plenty of appeal as the bottom weight and may well have too much to offer, however is untested on really soft ground.

So chance is taken on Misty Lady, a proven soft ground performer who has won over two miles in the past. Infact she absolutely loves the mud and also stays further. I can see her being positively ridden today to make it a really stiff test which should suit her best. She has won earlier this year off a 10lb lower mark. This form stacks up well and she run with credit of her current mark subsequently, although switched to the flat then , she hasn’t shown any form in her last handful of starts.

Back over hurdles, with conditions sure to suit, she is a big price against the favourite though.

Misty Lady @ 14/1 William Hill – 5pts Win

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5.35 Listowel: Handicap Hurdle, 3m

If you wanna win this, you’ve got to stay the trip, and you need to stay it well in these ground conditions. That won’t suit a handful in this field, though there are some unexposed horses with potential in it.

I feel Catalaunian, albeit favourite on the machines at the moment, is still overpriced. He is lightly raced and improved dramatically for the step up to 3m and soft ground when winning a maiden at Bellewstown by a street last month. The form is  good as the runner-up won subsequently.

Catalaunian should absolutely relish todays conditions at Listowel, and while his mark is stiff enough for a handicap debut, it could equaly underestimate his potential.

Catalaunian @ 7/2 VC – 5pts Win