Weekend racing preview: Waterford Whispers can get off the mark over fences
WINNING SPREE: Bal Kauto can complete a four-timer by winning at Galway on Sunday. Picture: Healy Racing
Waterford Whispers should make a bold bid to open his chase account in the SANSERV Rated Novice Chase on the first day of Galway’s traditional three-day October meeting.
On a busy weekend for his trainer Henry de Bromhead, the Westerner gelding might put his experience to good use on a track where he won his maiden hurdle on this card in 2023 before registering a second hurdles success at Fairyhouse.
Runner-up to Better Days Ahead in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival in 2024, Waterford Whispers has run three times over fences, shaping with plenty of promise when filling the runner-up berth behind Ile Atlantique at Navan last November.
He then contested a Grade One at Limerick, but jumped poorly and finished last behind Impaire Et passe.
And, after a lengthy break, he caught the eye when finishing fourth behind stable-companion Birdie Or Bust in Listowel last month.
That comeback run should leave him spot-on for this task and, if he can be a bit slicker over fences, Mark Walsh’s mount might deliver.
Earlier on today’s card, Joseph O’Brien’s 89-rated Flat performer Kibris, whose jumping let him down on his hurdling bow in Cork, should be tough to beat in the QuinnBet 3-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle.
The Queallys look set for a successful Sunday, holding obvious chances at both Galway and Wexford.
At the western venue, I’ll Sort That, so impressive in a maiden hurdle at Listowel, will be strongly-fancied in the Supermac’s Novice Hurdle while Bal Kauto will make a bold bid to complete a four-timer in the Glenman Corporation Handicap Chase.
Successful in two bumpers, I’ll Sort That galloped his rivals into the ground at Listowel, slamming subsequent winner Wholelotofbusiness by 13 lengths.
He looks a real stayer and should be suited by this step-up to an extended two and a half miles, a comment which also applies to rivals Ma Jacks Hill and Welonlyhavedone.
Bal Kauto has been a revelation this year, scoring over hurdles at Kilbeggan and over this course and distance (at the festival) before taking a handicap chase, off 109, at Kilbeggan.
Now rated 117 over fences (120 over hurdles), Bal Kauto will have talented 7lb claimer Michael Kenneally on board and should go close.
Meanwhile, in Wexford tomorrow, the Queally camp will have high hopes for Mozzies Sister on her return to the smaller obstacles in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle.
She fluffed her lines on her fencing debut in Ballinrobe, when no match for Littlebiggie, but might bounce back here, at the expense of Dream On Baby.
1.53 Kibris (NB)
2.28 L’Evangeliste
3.03 Shuttle Diplomacy
3.38 Waterford Whispers (Nap)
4.13 Grann’s Boy
4.45 County Champs
5.18 Leonard Vallis
1.53 Whats New
2.28 Fatal Flow
3.03 King’s Bucks
3.38 Will The Wise
4.13 Sportinthepark
4.45 Johnny Cakes
5.18 Zeus Power
12.50 Amen Kate
1.25 O’Moore Park
2.00 Midnight Moonshine
2.35 Bal Kauto
3.05 I’ll Sort That (Nap)
3.38 He Can’t Dance
4.13 Red Glory
4.43 How’s Ellie
12.50 Holly Brook
1.25 Good N’ Kind
2.00 Ballagh Star
2.35 Ballybawn Belter
3.05 Welonlyhavedone
3.38 Doctor Steinberg
4.13 Fierce Handay
4.43 Susie Lenglen
12.30 Magic Day
1.05 Miss Pronunciation
1.40 The Store Boy
2.14 Open Secret
2.47 Mozzies Sister
3.22 Oogum Boogum
3.56 Hitthehayson
4.30 Lady Lena (NB)
12.30 Along The Way
1.05 Battle Of Ridgeway
1.40 Parnell Street
2.14 Jury Foreman
2.47 Dream On Baby
3.22 Aclass
3.56 Stone Forest
4.30 La Rocca Lass
