Today's Tips: Stone Blues should have rivals under his Thumb at Galway
The five-year-old ran out a comfortable winner on debut, when accounting for the promising Loughmore Queen and Coffee Cantata, with one of today’s rivals, Pearl Diamond, well behind.
That was back in May, and he returned after an absence to contest a very hot bumper at the summer festival here. On soft ground, he travelled very well until coming off the bridle turning for home.
He was no match for the very exciting Fugi Mountain, but was noted staying on well into second place, ahead of two-time bumper winner Captain Barbossa, amongst others.
The ground will be much quicker this evening, but that’s not a major concern for the son of High Chaparral, and the extra two furlongs should prompt further improvement.
Although there are obvious concerns with regard to his jumping, Waaheb should prove too classy for his rivals in the Eventus Beginners’ Chase.
Dermot Weld’s eight-year-old was a winner over hurdles on his most recent start, but competed over the larger obstacles twice at the summer festival.
On the first occasion, a round of indifferent jumps ended when he unseated Mark Walsh at the ninth. Two days later, over today’s trip, he wasn’t fluent but certainly better, and ran a nice race to finish third behind Shantou Flyer, who contests today’s fifth race.
This looks a much more manageable assignment, and there shouldn’t be a lot of pressure on his jumping. If he gets around, his class should shine through.
