galwayraces.com Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 5m 37.8s

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Selected odds by:

Batcio^h³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr A McMahon⁽⁷⁾| T: T M Walsh

6/4

Best effort in five bumper starts came when second over an extended 2m at Punchestown before landing a 2m contest at Kilbeggan last month. Market likely to reveal expectations on debut.

Form: 65U-421

Braid Blue⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

11/4

Effortless wins in a couple of bumpers at Kilbeggan and Perth recently puts the Gold Well gelding in the mix on hurdling introduction here.

Form: 11

Byron Vandou⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: A McCurtin⁽⁵⁾| T: S J Mahon

100/1

Beaten 103L on good-to-firm ground when making his debut in July over 2½m. Much more needed if he's to play a hand here.

Form: 8

Kaatskill Nap⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| BF

3/1

91-rated Flat winner, well held in one start for Venetia Williams before a promising maiden hurdle run at Gowran Park in June. Improvement expected to hasten in this contest.

Form: 3

Knocknarae King^h1²⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr E Mahon⁽⁷⁾| T: B McMahon

80/1

Quite cheaply-bought Turtle Island gelding who was pulled up on his only start in a point-to-point over three years ago. Before failing to finish once again in a Limerick maiden hurdle when last seen in December.

Form: P/P-

Ozzie's Way^t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D G Hogan| T: D Hogan| OR: 108

9/1

Three-race maiden hurdler but has shown plenty of promise on each occasion. Holds strong place claims in this company.

Form: 686332

Worzel Gummidge⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P J O'Neill⁽⁷⁾| T: John F O'Neill

100/1

Well held when finishing down the field in three career maiden hurdle starts to date. May find this a tough assignment.

Form: 4-077

Presentingprincess^h,t⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: C J Orr⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 109

11/2

Won a Limerick bumper in July before a couple of disappointing starts over hurdles were forgotten when third of 12 beaten ½L behind the impressive Percy Veer at Listowel last week. Will look to enhance profile here.

Form: 821353

Forecasts

Batcio (6/4), Braid Blue (11/4), Kaatskill Nap (3/1), Presentingprincess (11/2), Ozzie's Way (9/1), Knocknarae King (80/1), Worzel Gummidge (100/1), Byron Vandou (100/1)

Recent Tony Bloom purchase KAATSKILL NAP can build on his promising third of 17 on hurdling debut in a Gowran Park maiden in June by getting off the mark at the second time of asking. Biggest dangers could prove to be duel bumper winner Braid Blue from the Gordon Elliott yard and potential improver Batcio. There was nothing wrong with the performance of Presentingprincess finishing behind Percy Veer at Listowel last week and can go well at a price.