RACING: Sorcerous is on a retrieval mission in more ways than one at Galway today. The highly regarded colt is believed at Ballydoyle to be the one that brought the coughing bug into the yard after he ran at Leopardstown in July.

Sorcerous ran only fourth that day which was quite a let down considering he was touted as a major classic hope after defeating In Time's Eye on his only start at two.

"He was coughing after Leopardstown. He was the first one to cough and we thought it came back with him," Aidan O'Brien said yesterday.

"He is fine again now and is ready for a run. He won his maiden nicely last season but time will tell how good he is," he added.

The Sadler's Wells colt goes in the Listed Oyster Stakes and faces a field that includes last year's winner Mutakarrim.

John Oxx runs both Bowmore and Dibiya but Rock Of Gibraltar's Moulin win indicated the O'Brien three year olds are on the way back and Sorcerous can confirm that.

The course and distance winner Snob Wells could have too much toe for the 125-rated Barrow Drive in the novice chase and the Tralee runner-up Chanoud should go close in the handicap hurdle.

Meanwhile, Thari made a winning start over fences when taking the Connacht Tribune Beginners Chase under a confident ride from Paul Carberry at Galway yesterday. "The plan would be to give him a few more runs now before a mid-winter break with a view to bringing him back for the better races in the spring." said trainer Noel Meade.

Gort-based permit holder Hannah Lee saddled her first winner when 25 to 1 shot Lorenco Lad, bred by her husband Joe, scored easily in the hands of Tommy Treacy.

The Galway Hurdle-winning rider John Cullen faces a long spell on the sidelines after breaking a bone in his neck. Cullen had a fall at Kilbeggan on Friday and is in Dublin's Mater Hospital.