Big day for Jacks

Sunday previews/Galway and Wexford: Jacks Estate ran into an exceptional handicap performer when runner up to Osterhase at the…

Sunday previews/Galway and Wexford: Jacks Estate ran into an exceptional handicap performer when runner up to Osterhase at the Curragh but the veteran can secure his own big pay-day in tomorrow's €100,000 Premier Handicap at the the Galway festival wind-up.

The nine year old is upped a couple of furlongs from that gallant attempt to chase down Osterhase in the Rockingham on Oaks weekend but the trip should not be a problem.

Much more problematic is a fiercely competitive field which headed by the Stakes performer Hanabad who is also upped in trip from sprint distances. At the other end of the scale is Amourallis who only just failed from out of the handicap proper to win Tuesday's McDonogh Handicap. However she doesn't look well drawn.

In between are any number with chances, including Seantors Alibi, but the Rockingham was a return to form and he could be the Jacks Estate safest option.

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The jumping highlight is the €40,000 handicap hurdle where Pat Hughes can continue a successful week with the Jim Culloty-ridden Treculiar. This one failed to win Monday's GPT on the back of a defeat of Batang at Killarney but should be hard to beat now. Hughes also runs Arachine who caught the eye on the flat at Leopardstown but Treculiar is preferred.

Some highly promising types are lined up for the bumper including The Alamo who won his debut at Tipperary for Aidan O'Brien and MV Magnier. The partnership have already hit the Galway mark this week with King Of Spades who had Emmpat back in third.

Emmpat, however, could make his presence felt again.

Down in Wexford local hero Paul Nolan can follow on from Cloone River's Galway Hurdle success with a couple of winners in the first two races.

Mango Catcher looks up to improving from a run at Sligo last time in the maiden hurdle while the drop in trip could suit the free-wheeling Clochmhaoil Castle in the Opportunity Hurdle after being caught by Casadei at Limerick.

Maralan was running on up the hill in good style when runner-up to Faasel at Galway during the week and the extra furlong will suit him in the apprentice handicap. Blackhall Claw looks the danger.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column