Listowel 4:05 Result

Handani is a lightly-raced 3yo from the powerful Weld/Aga Khan operation, carrying just 121lbs off a fair OR84, well below several older, more exposed rivals. Form of 2-231 shows consistent progress and a recent win, with the form figures tightening each run - clearly a horse on the up. Chris Hayes takes over and D K Weld's string with the Aga Khan colours are always dangerous fresh types stepping up in distance/grade. Added blinkers today suggest they're sharpening him for this. Weight-for-age and being unexposed against a field of largely plateaued handicappers (many showing 0000 recent form like Ephesus, Eben Zaabeel, Royal Saxo) gives him a big scope/class edge. This Songisforyou (top-rated at 96) looks the market leader but has a moderate recent line (50-290) and at 8yo with 140lbs to carry is fully exposed - hard to trust as a banker at a likely short price. Alphecca is interesting on old form (11-798) but a 121-day layoff and unproven at this trip/ground is a risk. Obscenity has solid recent form (312104) but is fully exposed at this class level already. Overall, Handani offers the best blend of upward trajectory, weight advantage, and stable/jockey confidence, representing square value against a well-fancied but vulnerable topweight.