Listowel 4:30 Result

Top-weight but top-rated on OR 96, and crucially he's the only runner in the field with a recent win, scoring last time out (form 072-01) just 5 days ago - fresh, in-form and clearly on a upward curve. Big field handicaps like this often go to the horse with genuine class in form rather than the max-handicapped types who are stone cold. Opposite Ends (95 OR) is the obvious market rival but hasn't run in 159 days, a big query fitness-wise off a long layoff in a competitive 21-runner scrum. Lecale's Diamond has some placed form but the 6-4189 sequence shows inconsistency, and his recent win was likely at a different class/trip. Torque De Lune and Tropical Image are workmanlike but lack the recent scoring form. Liberated Light carries the fitness edge of a recent run and last-time-out victory, with a rider (Mr J L Gleeson, amateur) who clearly has the confidence of the yard given the booking. The 166lb topweight is manageable given he's clearly best judged on ability. In a compact, deep, competitive handicap like this, recent proven form and a live gallop count for a lot - he gets the vote as the most solid, in-form contender with the profile to defy a big field.