HENRY WILL NOT LINGER

Bob set to make up for lost time

BY PETER O’HEHIR

A week later than planned, Bob Olinger will make his eagerly-awaited chasing debut in today’s Gowran Park opener, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, and is very difficult to oppose in a hot race.

Henry de Bromhead’s dual Grade 1-winning novice hurdler is, arguably, the most exciting recruit to chasing we’ll see this season. And, with stablejockey Rachael Blackmore on Betfair Chase duty on board A Plus Tard, the ride on Bob Olinger goes to the season’s leading rider Darragh O’keeffe.

Bob Olinger has been beaten only once in his career, when outpointed by

Ferny Hollow in a maiden hurdle at Gowran Park a year ago. And he has already won a point-topoint ( for Pat Doyle), a bumper and three hurdles.

Impressive in a Navan maiden last December, he justified favouritism in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) in Naas in early January.

And Bob Olinger proved his star quality when, sent off 6/4 favourite, he stormed up the Cheltenham hill to beat subsequent Grade 1 winner Gaillard Du Mesnil and the well-regarded Bravemansgame in the Ballymore.

Having bypassed an engagement at Gowran Park last week, Bob Olinger must face some stern opposition today. But, sure to know his job, I’ll be surprised and disappointed if he doesn’t make a winning start to his chasing career.

Leading the opposition to Bob Olinger will be Jessica Harrington’s (inset)ashdale Bob, a dual Grade 2 winner as a novice hurdler last season and runner-up to Gaillard Du Mesnil in a Grade 1 at Punchestown on his final start of the campaign, and the Willie Mullinstrained Bacardys, a dual Grade 1 winner as a novice and a regular in all the top staying hurdles in recent seasons.

EXCITING CHASING RECRUIT Bob Olinger (pink & white silks)