Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Not a Walk in the park
I am really looking forward to riding the Brian Ellison-trained Dream Walker in the featured €100,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Ahonoora Handicap at Galway tomorrow.
We overcame a bad draw to win the race in a driving finish with Reckless Endeavour 12 months ago and, while it certainly won’t be easy to stage a repeat win, there are a lot of positives about his chances.
He is one of the few horses I have ridden that absolutely loves the track having won and been placed third twice from his only three starts there and, while stall 14 is far from ideal, the likely favourite Riven Light is right next door in 15 and it should be remembered he won from a bad draw last year.
His run on Tuesday was very encouraging as he came from as far back in the field as the winner did on that occasion and is now 7lbs better off with Riven Light tomorrow.
Tuesday’s run will have really put his eye in and the prospect of softish ground won’t be a problem for him so I am very positive of at least making the frame once again.
I also ride Bottleofsmoke in the JPK Fencing Handicap tomorrow and, after an encouraging sixth to Andratx there on Thursday, I would be hopeful of a decent showing.
This extra distance will suit him and I am hoping for a stronger early pace which will help his stamina to kick in.
My only other ride is on a horse trained by
Ado Mcguinness called Ten Bears in the twoyear-old aution maiden.
I don’t know too much about him to be honest but he should appreciate this easier grade after running against the likes o f 2018 Epsom Derby favourite The Pentagon in a hot maiden at the Curragh on his only start to date and I am sure he will improve for that first racecourse experience.
My only mount today at Galway is Repare Mon in the 5.25, a very open handicap over 12 furlongs. This horse raced on Thursday when finishing ninth in a similar type race and as a dual Dundalk winner earlier in the season, there is no doubt the likely soft ground is a concern.
As a winner over two miles, he certainly won’t have a problem with the distance but I find horses which perform well at Dundalk do struggle when faced with soft ground on turf but I am hoping for a better performance from him.