Brian Hayes given call up to take on Cyclone
Jockey Brian Hayes has been given the call up to ride Hidden Cyclone in next week's Guinness Galway Hurdle.
The high class chaser will revert to hurdles after a pipe-opener at Leopardstown earlier in the month and he is set to be one of the most interesting runners of the week at Ballybrit as he will be contesting Ireland's richest jump race off a much lower rating than he currently has over fences.
Grade One success has so far eluded Hidden Cyclone but he has been a model of consistency in the best of company and he will be running off a mark of 137 next week whereas his last run at the Punchestown Festival saw him rated 158 when he finished third in the BoyleSports Champion Chase.
Hidden Cyclone will be carrying a weight of 10st3lbs for Thursday's feature providing top weight Kitten Rock takes his chance for trainer Edward O'Grady and owner JP McManus and with that being below regular rider Andrew McNamara's weight, trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon has nominated his stables conditional jockey Brian Hayes who would take a further 3lbs off Hidden Cylcone and leave him carry just 10st in the race.
Hanlon said: "He has come out of Leopardstown in super form and he has a lovely weight on his back in the Galway Hurdle.
"The run at Leopardstown has really sharpened him up and I think he goes there with a big shout." He added: "Mrs Mee (owner) loves Galway and it is great for her to be going there with a contender.
"Brian Hayes will ride him. Brian has been riding great and he only has a few winners left of his 3lb claim."
Hidden Cyclone is a current 10/1 shot in places for the Galway Hurdle, second favourite behind only Quick Jack for Tony Martin, while it looks like third favourite Clondaw Warrior's connections will face an anxious wait to see if he gets into the race.
The Willie Mullins-trained Royal Ascot winner currently has a weight of 9st12lbs but will need about 18 horses above him in the weights to come out at Wednesday's declaration stage. Mullins is responsible for six of those currently above Clondaw Warrior.
Clondaw Warrior was among the 35-entries revealed yesterday for Monday's feature race the Connacht Hotel Amateur Handicap.