Muscle injury puts Rama’s Galway Hurdle bid in doubt
The seven-year-old lined up in a mile-and-a-half Flat handicap in what was intended to be a pipe-opener for next Thursday’s big race.
But after finishing a well-beaten eighth, John Kiely’s charge was found to have suffered a slight injury.
“I’ve had him checked out this morning and he has got a muscle injury,” said Kiely.
“At the moment I won’t know about Galway until after work on Tuesday.
“I was slightly disappointed with his run at Leopardstown and maybe this injury explains why he didn’t finish the race so well.”
The son of Kingmambo remains among 58 possibles for the Galway Hurdle after the latest entry stage, with stablemate Indian Pace still on the list.
Majestic Concorde is one of three entries for Dermot Weld, while Tony Martin’s Leg Spinner and the Colm Murphy-trained Megans Joy are both prominent in the betting.
British-based trainer Richard Fahey is double-handed with Halla San and Freeloader, while King’s Head and Mr Jack Daniells could also cross the Irish Sea.
Roman Villa is set to represent Gordon Elliott, who was pleased with his charge after a recent spin on the level at Bellewstown.
“Roman Villa definitely runs in the Galway Hurdle with Davy Condon riding,” said Elliott.
“The Bellewstown race was a pipe-opener for him.
“He has come out of the race very well and it’s all systems go as I’ve been training him for this race.
“On his form earlier in the year and the fact that he’ll love the hustle and bustle of the race, he’d have a good opportunity to run into a place.”
Guinness Galway Hurdle:
Paddy Power bet: 8-1 Majestic Concorde, 9-1 King Rama, 10-1 Roman Villa, 11-1 Northern Alliance, 12-1 Eagle’s Pass, Halla San, 14-1 Leg Spinner, Megans Joy, Cloone Rocket, 16-1 Definate Spectacle, Miss Fancy Pants, Schelm, The God Of Love, The Last Hurrah, 20-1 bar.
