Ellmarie Holden sets Lartigue Hurdle test for Ex Patriot at Listowel
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Ex Patriot, who finished fourth in the Triumph Hurdle at last season's Cheltenham Festival, bids to give weight and a beating to nine rivals in the Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel on Tuesday.
Ellmarie Holden's four-year-old mixed it with the very best in the juvenile division last term, performing well in Graded races at Fairyhouse either side of his tremendous effort at Prestbury Park in March.
He makes his first appearance since Easter Monday on day three of the Harvest Festival and has plenty on his plate as he concedes over a stone to each of his opponents.
Holden said: "It will be good to get him going and I think he's a lot stronger than he was last season.
"I think he's improved and I'm hoping he'll run well but, at the same time, he will come on a good bit for the run.
"He could go chasing at some stage (this season), but we'll stick to hurdles for the time being and see how we go."
The Gavin Cromwell-trained Prospectus won twice during his debut campaign over jumps and lined up at Cheltenham as a major contender for the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle under Ruby Walsh.
The son of Sakhee disappointed in the Cotswolds, but Cromwell is hoping for a better performance on his return to action, with 7lb claimer Donal McInerney taking the ride.
"I think the ground just dried out a bit too much for him at Cheltenham and everything happened a bit quick," said Cromwell.
"We let him off after that and this race has been the plan since. We had hoped to get a run into him on the Flat, but unfortunately the ground just dried out at the wrong time.
"He's in good order and hopefully he's fit enough. He'll love the ground and we're taking 7lb off his back to give him every chance."
Walsh and Willie Mullins team up with runaway Roscommon scorer Law Girl, who was last seen finishing third behind the high-class Housesofparliament at Galway.
Housesofparliament's trainer Joseph O'Brien fires a formidable twin assault at this €55,000 contest, with Unicorn and Mischievious Max both winners at Downpatrick a month ago.
On The Go Again, Penneys Hun, Denham Sound, From Eden and Bold Emperor complete the line-up.
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