RACING:CHAMPION OWNER JP McManus is already comfortably past the half million euro mark in prize money in Ireland this season and can further add to that tally with a Galway hat-trick today highlighted by Carlingford Lough's debut over fences.
Winner of four of his six starts, Carlingford Lough just failed to make the final field for the Galway Hurdle but gained some compensation with an easy course win later in the festival week.
He lines up for the 2¾ mile Beginners’ Chase this evening and as a half brother to former Ryanair winner Thisthatandtother, he looks like he is beginning his true vocation.
Silverhand goes in a trappy-looking conditions hurdle but in a heat where Tornedo Shay and Twinlight will also figure, the Coral Cup fourth can better cope with testing ground on his return from fences.
McManus could also score with the handicap chase top weight Osana, but the bet of the meeting could be in the bumper where Gate Please can win for the second time at Ballybrit.
Michael Hourigan did not disguise his regard for the ex-pointer when he beat Moorhill Lad – a winner since – here at the festival and it looks significant he brings him back to the level after a relatively disappointing effort over hurdles at Bellewstown.
Willie Mullins’s Who’s Cross won at Sligo but has hung left on both starts to date, a trait not ideal around Galway.
John Murphy would not be worried about heading straight for the Racing Post Trophy with High Octane following his taking debut success at Gowran Park last week.
The Motivator colt ran out an impressive winner of a seven-furlong maiden in Co Kilkenny with Seamie Heffernan up and while he was sent off at double-figure odds, the victory was no surprise to his trainer. While it would be a huge step up if the youngster shoots for Group Oneglory at Doncaster on October 27th, Murphy has huge faith in his charge.
“He’s a horse I’ve loved since the start . . . we just haven’t been able to get him out because of the wet summer we’ve had,” said Murphy. “He’s come out of the race the other day well and is back in work now . . . Seamie was delighted with him and thought he did it snug enough. The Racing Post Trophy is certainly a possibility as he is a horse I think an awful lot of. I think he’s going to be an even better three-year-old.”
