Lucky 15 Tips: Whispering Willow to snare Listowel prize

Racing springs into a major month on Monday with Royal Ascot looming and June commences with six meetings across Britain and Ireland. They come from Lingfield, Newbury, Gowran Park and Listowel (jumps) in the afternoon, before evening fare from Windsor and Wolverhampton (AW).

My Lucky 15 picks for Monday's action are below, including a promising mare bidding to open her account over fences for Gavin Cromwell at Listowel.

Horse Racing Odds

13:59 Gowran Park - Royal County Glory @ 5/2

ROYAL COUNTY GLORY goes up in trip in this mile KCLR 96FM Apprentice Handicap at Gowran Park and can shine for it.

The four-year-old Cotai Glory gelding was a winner over 7f on the all-weather at Dundalk in April on his first attempt at that trip, staying on well for Julian Pietropaolo to get the job done inside the final furlong.

He was perhaps a touch keen early on at Fairyhouse last time and didn't quite get into a challenging position as he finished fifth of 13 runners.

The handicapper has quickly eased him 2lb and he looks worth a go over the mile trip in apprentice company.

15:32 Listowel - Whispering Willow @ 4/9

Gavin Cromwell hasn't had WHISPERING WILLOW in his care for long and the mare looks well placed to notch her second success for the yard in the John B. Keane Beginners Chase at Listowel over 2m3f.

She scored on stable debut at Punchestown in a low-grade handicap over hurdles in May, obliging with plenty in hand under Conor Stone-Walsh, and has since gone close on chasing debut at Downpatrick (2m3½f, good to yielding).

Just a length split the first three in that contest and this doesn't appear as strong on paper. Keith Donoghue's partner should prove too strong.

15:44 Gowran Park - Hardy Warrior @ 7/4

It's a Bank Holiday in Ireland on Monday and, as such, they have some quality racing on offer. The feature at the Kilkenny venue is the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic, part of the Smullen Series with €110,000 for the winner.

Joseph O'Brien won this contest 12 months ago with Green Triangle and could pick it up again here with HARDY WARRIOR.

He's one of five contenders for the Piltown trainer and looks the class act. The Pinatubo colt was a winner at Naas on his comeback in March over a mile and has since placed in a Group 3 in France.

He's lightly raced, unexposed at this middle distance and may take some stopping.

17:10 Newbury - Nanino Niyati @ 7/2

Owen Burrows does well with his runners at Newbury, the handler showing a 29 per cent strike-rate with 55 runners over the last five seasons and a level stakes profit of +28.80.

He's got an interesting contender in the West Courth Retreat Supports Heros Charity Handicap over a mile-and-a-quarter in NANINO NIYATI.

The Destino filly ran well on stable bow at Ascot in May over this trip, just shaping as though she'd benefit from the run having been off since last August as she surrendered a couple of places late on to finish fourth.

She finds an easier race here and can build on that effort at a track where her trainer does well.

NAPS table with Betfred Insights.