BALLYOISIN HAS OIL THE RIGHT TOOLS
BALLYOISIN is the undoubted star on today’s jumps card in Ballinroe.
The classy, 162-rated 10-year-old is returning from a lengthy absence – off the track since the Hilly Way in Cork in December of 2019. But he should still prove a cut above his four rivals in the Corrib Oil Chase.
The J P Mcmanus-owned Ballyoisin was last seen when chasing home Cilaos Emery in that Hilly Way fully 624 days ago.
Prior to that defeat, Enda Bolger’s charge, winner of eight of his 16 starts over fences and a spectacular jumper, had beaten subsequent dual Grade 1 winner A Plus Tard in the Fortria at Navan in November 2019, his second win in that traditional November showpiece.
In addition to his two Grade 2 wins, Ballyoisin also won a Grade 3 in Killarney in May of 2018, as well as maiden and Grade B handicap wins over hurdles.
He achieved a careerhigh rating of 169 and is currently rated 7lb lower than that mark, which should make him very tough to beat here at a short price. And it’s another plus that he escapes a penalty as his graded wins were achieved so long ago.
Henry de Bromhead’s Visioman, in mid-division in the Galway Plate last time, and the Jessica Harringtontrained Exit Poll should fight it out for the runner-up berth behind Ballyoisin.
The Mcmanus colours, on Mark Walsh, should also be prominent in the featured
Hollymount Nursing Home 4-Y-0 Handicap Hurdle as the Joseph O’brien-trained Flying Scotsman tackles his second handicap over flights.
A dual-winner on the flat at last year’s Galway Festival, this Galileo gelding opened his account over hurdles when beating one of today’s rivals Na Caith Tobac at Navan in June.
He started joint-favourite for a competitive handicap in Galway last time, but was unable to mount a telling challenge in finishing 11th behind last week’s York scorer Arcadian
Sunrise.
That experience should stand to Flying Scotsman today as he faces his four-year-old peers. And he might prove too strong for the consistent Crassus, Varna Gold and recent course winner Baltinglass Hill.
John Kiely’s 113-rated Erin’s Benefit sets the standard in the Boylesports Mares Maiden Hurdle but is winless in eight attempts over flights, although boasting six placed efforts.
So marginal preference, in receipt of 8lb, is for Roger Mcgrath’s Sweet Street – whose form includes a second to Royal Illusion at Leopardstown and a third to Lunar Display at Tipperary in May.
Back in novice company, Liam Cusack’s The Dabbler has solid claims in the Ballinrobe Water Towers Beginners Chase, following solid placed efforts in both the Mayo National (behind Agent Boru) here and the Connacht National in Roscommon.