Davids Charm out to make amends for last year's narrow defeat

Ladbrokes Ireland Listowel Handicap Hurdle | 5yo+ | 2m | ATR

Davids Charm will bid to go one better at Listowel having been beaten by a neck in last year's race.

The seven-year-old is an 11st 9lb topweight for this €59,000 handicap, with jockey Ambrose McCurtin taking 5lb off John Walsh's seven-year-old.

Lagostovegas got the better of Davids Charm last season and trainer Willie Mullins will be represented by Makitorix, Shanning and Voix Du Reve.

Triumph overdue

Without a win since landing the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham two years ago, Ivanovich Gorbatov ran his best race for some time when narrowly losing out at Killarney last month and is one of three likely runners for owner J P McManus, who will also be represented by Ballyoisin and Plinth.

Here he goes again

The versatile On The Go Again, winner of the valuable Lartigue handicap at the meeting last year, will make his second appearance of the week, having finished fifth in a Listed race on the Flat on Monday.

On The Go Again provided trainer Mick Mulvany with his first Listed race success in AprilCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

What the trainers say

John Joe Walsh, trainer of Davids Charm
Being topweight is a disadvantage, but he's in good form and was just beaten in the race last year. He missed the break in the Galway Hurdle, which put paid to his chance. The ground shouldn't be a problem.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Voix Du Reve, Makitorix and Shanning.
Voix Du Reve was disappointing in the Galway Hurdle, but he's in good form and we're hoping this track will suit him better. Makitorix showed he handles the track well when winning his maiden by 18 lengths a year ago. He hasn't run over hurdles since February, but he's well and could be on a nice mark. Shanning ran third over a longer trip at Galway last time and maybe the shorter distance will help her. She has a nice low weight.

Frank Berry, racing manager to J P McManus, owner of Ivanovich Gorbatov, Plinth and Ballyoisin
Ivanovich Gorbatov ran a blinder at Killarney last time when he just got chinned. It was his best run for a long time and he's in great form. Hopefully the ground won't get too testing. Plinth has been struggling a bit in the good handicaps, but he won't mind the ground and we're hoping he can earn some prize-money. Ballyoisin has done well over fences and, as there wasn't anything suitable coming up, we decided to let him take his chance back over hurdles.

Ivanovich Gorbatov: winner of the 2016 Triumph HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann

Michael Mulvany, trainer of On The Go Again
We're looking forward to a big run. He's probably a bit better handicapped over hurdles than he is on the Flat and he ran okay from a high draw in the Listed race here on Monday.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Boot Camp
He's in good form and came out of his Ballinrobe win well. He's going back in trip, but the soft ground should help counter that.

Terence O'Brien, trainer of Lakemilan
She's in good form and while she needs to improve – she's gone up 6lb for her Killarney win – we're hoping she will. The ground shouldn't be an issue.

Denis Hogan, trainer of The Granson
He ran a cracker in a similar race at Killarney last time. He's fresh and well, has a nice low-weight and will handle the ground, so we're hoping for a big run.

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