Bob poised to get off mark

EDWARD O’GRADY, who has his horses in rude health right now, can provide us with a winning nap in the shape of Rigour Back Bob in the Adare Maiden Hurdle at Limerick this afternoon.

Successful in a bumper at Ballinrobe in May, the selection made his debut over flights at Cork last month.

At no stage of that contest was there any real possibility of him delivering but it was, nevertheless, a display which promised of better to come.

Rigour Back Bob was beaten just under seven lengths in fourth place behind in-form Darceys Thatcher and the form was boosted when the third, Huckle Buck Shoe, went in next time at Wexford.

Andrew McNamara partners Rigour Back Bob and he and O’Grady can also combine to land the Munster Beginners Chase with Pesoto.

The six-year-old lost the plot a little last season, but a reproduction of his half a length second to Joncol at Punchestown in December would be easily good enough in this league.

Two impressive bumper horses, Call The Police and Marlay Park, should dominate the Christmas Festival December 26th-29th Maiden Hurdle.

Preference is for Call The Police, who created a favourable impression when beating subsequent winners, Definitive Edge and Captive Audience, at Clonmel in May.

Tiernan’s Terror, a creditable second to Droim Toll at Punchestown, might crop up off bottom weight in the Friends Of Greenmount Handicap Chase.