Moratorium can swoop late in Galway Hurdle

MORATORIUM, laid out especially for the contest, is a hopeful choice to provide the answer to the Guinness Hurdle at Galway this afternoon.

Thu, 01 Aug, 2002 - 01:00

Pat Keane

He will strip fresh and well for this stiff test, having been rested by Noel Meade since producing a fine display at Punchestown back in April.

Meade has twice tasted success in this valauable event, with Pinch Hitter in ’82 and ’83, and it really is about time he did the business again!

The seven-year-old is a talented dindividual, at his best, and is unlikely to be seen until the latter stages of the contest.

Such tactics worked like a dream for Paul Carberry in that Punchestown contest.

Moratorium came with a sweeping challenge in the closing stages to beat the smart Cailin’s Perk unextended by three lengths.

Of course he has suffered for that and runs here off a mark 13lbs higher. Nevertheless, if you cannot resist the urge then a little each-way may not go too far astray.

Ansar, who did us proud twice at last year’s Festival, has to get the vote to land the opening Guinness Novice Chase.

He won the Galway Hurdle twelve months ago and among some other useful efforts subsequently was a decent performance in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Dermot Weld’s gelding has reportedly schooled really in preparation for this first effort outing over fences and can outclass his rivals.

Michael Halford’s in-form Cool Cousin gets the nap to complete a hat-trick, under top weight, in the Guinness Fillies Handicap.

She bolted in by seven length at the Curragh on Saturday and has just a mandatory 5lbs penalty to carry. Cool Cousin goes up a whopping 18lbs in future handicaps.

The improving Jack Owen Jack looks best in the Harp Lager Novice Hurdle. He beat Kilcrea Shyan a length and a half at Tipperary and there is now a massive turn-over of 11lbs in favour of the runner-up.

But Kilcrea Shyan has since disappointed back at Tipperary, while Jack Owen Jack scored in the proverbial canter at Naas.

Selections

1.50 Ansar

2.25 Jack Owen Jack

3.00 Lifes A Flyer

3.45 Moratorium

4.25 De Laroche

5.00 Erinella

5.30 Cool Cousin (nap)

6.05 Mount Kimble

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