Ground to have a Direct Bearing on Hurdle outcome

THE ground was drying out rapidly at Ballybrit yesterday and if the process continues then take a chance on Direct Bearing following up his success here yesterday, in this afternoon’s Guinness Galway Hurdle.

This versatile sort made no mistake in a moderate event twenty four hours ago, emphasising he will strip in tip-top shape today. A year ago Weld attempted something similar with Mutakarrim and it almost came off. Mutakarrim landed an ordinary maiden hurdle on the Tuesday and two days later only gave best to Say Again in this contest.

Michael Grassick has had this prize in mind for King’s Opera for a long time and, granted luck in running, Ruby Walsh’s mount should run a big race.

She warmed up with an eye-catching display, under 12-0, when fourth behind Windsor Boy at Killarney, on a surface which was far too testing.

There is a strong word for Christy Roche’s Puck Out, who landed some decent wagers when taking a conditions hurdle at Roscommon in June. But, realistically, there are far too may with chances to be in any way dogmatic about the likely outcome. Direct Bearing, hopefully from the front and with big-race ace, Jim Culloty aboard, to go very close is the prediction.

The Carlsberg Lager Novice Chase may have only five runners, but it does have a fascinating appearance.

Last year’s Galway Hurdle winner, Say Again, won’t lack for support having won a maiden on the flat at Roscommon last time. Previously, he appeared to have the measure of previous winner, Janidou, when falling at the final fence, also at Roscommon.

The danger is probably Dermot Weld’s Stage Affair, even if he did finish 11th, of 11, behind Blue Corrig In the Ulster Derby at Down Royal.

Before that, though, Stage Affair put up a fine performance to slam one of his rivals now, Goss (levels), by 11 length over fences at Punchestown.

Weld’s Lowlander is the choice to take the St James’ Gate Novice Hurdle, although he will have to jump a lot better than he did at Tipperary recently.

Lowlander finished a very disappointing ninth of 12 behind Risk Accessor then, but remains a promising horse. The four-year-old won four times on the flat, including at Galway, for John Oxx last season.

Conspiring, almost knocked over when coming with a strong challenge in the contest won by Desert Hill at the Curragh earlier in the month, gets the nap in the Guinness Fillies Handicap.