Wait won't slow Inthenickoftime in Galway bid
Enda Bolger, Peter Smithers and Frank Berry after Inthenickoftime won the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Handicap Hurdle. Pic: Healy Racing Photo
Safety concerns over Storm Boelo means Galway’s three-day October meeting will begin on Sunday rather than Saturday where Ballybrit specialist Inthenickoftime is fancied to get the better of Shellrunforbriggs in the Medical Technology Ireland Expo Galway Handicap Hurdle.
While the Enda Bolger-trained six-year-old has won only four of his 21 career starts, three of those successes have come at Sunday’s venue and he returns to Galway in the form of his life having won there earlier this month as well as last month.
An 8lb hike for his most recent Ballybrit success may not be enough to stop him from completing the hat-trick.
Like Inthenickoftime, Shellrunforbriggs is on a hat-trick but, having not run since a chasing success at Kilbeggan in May, the Mick Winters-trained daughter of Harzand is conceding race fitness to her rival and may have to settle for minor honours on this occasion.
Gavin Cromwell has enjoyed a cracking October and he may be able to double up on Sunday.
Ole Ole should be a tough nut to crack in the Supermac's Rated Novice Hurdle while the booking of Derek O’Connor to ride newcomer Moscovite in the bumper suggests a big run is anticipated.
Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott should also be among the winners courtesy of Chart Topper in the Gerry Coyme Memorial Irish EBF Beginners Chase and Doctor Elvis in the Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate Maiden Hurdle respectively.
Like Galway, Wexford hosts an eight-race jumps card with the most appealing best coming in the fourth race, the William Hill Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle, where Lirakali is fancied to make it third time lucky.
Second at Clonmel on debut in May, the Henry de Bromhead-trained five-year-old again found one too good when going down by a nose to The Captain’s Word at Gowran Park earlier this month.
This looks a good opportunity for him to get his head in front.
12.32 Chart Topper
1.07 Only For Our Man
1.42 Lanzhou
2.17 Light Up The Dark
2.50 Inthenickoftime (Nap)
3.20 Ole Ole
3.56 Doctor Elvis
4.30 Moscovite
12.32 Da Capo Glory
1.07 Crecora Hills
1.42 Harty Cup
2.17 Simply Natural
2.50 Shellrunforbriggs
3.20 Minella Hollow
3.56 Bulgaden Castle
4.30 Mioruilteach
12.50 Caher Roes Den
1.25 Luimneach
2.00 Noon Blu Dodville
2.35 Lirakali (NB)
3.07 Club Manager
3.40 Square Necker
4.10 Baymount
4.40 Morning Rose
12.50 Mullaghgloss
1.25 Fountain House
2.00 The Two Degrees
2.35 Soul Asylum
3.07 River Vale
3.40 Huntin Boots
4.10 Dunsy Rock
4.40 Payslip
