HOGAN’S HERO READY TO ROLL
Tithonus can land third successive big prize
A GREAT season for Tithonus could get even better as the Galway Festival draws to a close this afternoon.
It has already been a superb week for some of the smaller yards in the country and this six-year-old could strike a blow for Denis Hogan in the final-day feature.
In recent weeks, Tithonus has bagged two six-figure pots and he can add to his tally from a favourable stall one draw.
Over the last 12 months, he has made remarkable progress and he has shot up the weights.
Last year he was rated just 63 when winning a handicap over this course and distance, but he is now 96 and there could be even more to come from him as he steps up to this trip from sprint distances.
Tithonus has plenty to fear from the top weight Riven Light who did very well to win Tuesday’s feature. Indeed, the manner in which Riven Light overcame a less than clear passage would suggest that he is better than a handicapper.
Top weight isn’t a concern for him and he should cope with coming back in distance by a furlong, but his wide draw is a major worry.
Hogan could be in line for a double as his Jack The Wire is put forward to take the handicap chase.
This talented gelding, a winner at this meeting last season, made a successful handicap chase debut at Tipperary last month.
This race promises to be a lot tougher, but Jack The Wire might be a step ahead of the handicapper.
It has been another excellent week for Willie Mullins whose Shaneshill will take all the beating in the conditions chase.
The high-class hurdler posted a superb effort to chase home Balko Des Flos in the Plate, where he didn’t help his cause with a mistake at the second last. This looks a much easier assignment for Shaneshill, whose previous form over fences includes a second in the 2016 RSA Chase.
Another trainer enjoying a tremendous meeting is Joseph O’brien and he has good prospects of a double.
In the two-year-old maiden, his Darkolva is the choice following two solid runs in defeat.
O’brien can also take the bumper with Santiago de Cuba, who looked smart when he made a winning debut at Killarney recently.
Elsewhere, a good run over hurdles on Wednesday earns Highland Fling the vote in the last Flat handicap of the week.
The card begins with a tricky handicap hurdle, where Papal Motel is selected following his third on Thursday, while Dawn Raider might be the answer in the three-mile handicap hurdle.