Not to be for Sharjah, but Blackmore can get Bob over line

Patrick Mullins

Mt Leinster became the fourth Galway winner out of my mother’s mare Sixhills – I was lucky the pace was so pedestrian early on. Photo: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

July 28 2020 02:30 AM

It was not to be once again for me on the Monday night of Galway. The slow pace did Sharjah no favours, but I was still disappointed that he wasn't able to get me into a more challenging position rounding the home bend.

Yes, we were wide, but with clear air we should have been able to pass Dalileo leaving the dip and get in.

We weren't, and so I have to think he had one of his off days and that, perhaps, he is just a better hurdler.

I was delighted to see my uncle Tony win it with Princess Zoe, but even more so for Finny Maguire.

Finny is top-class rider, stylish and dedicated, but it is hard for an amateur without one of the top three bumper stables behind him.

It seemed a cruel blow when Finny was left off the Weld horses yesterday, but he handled himself with class and threaded his mare through the eye of a needle in the straight to get his name on the Roll of Honour for this famous handicap.

It was well deserved and I hope he enjoys it. It's not easily done.

Mt Leinster became the fourth Galway Festival winner out of my mother's mare, Sixhills.

Willie had asked me did I want to pop him out of his stalls yesterday morning and I said we wouldn't as I didn't want him breaking well and running keen.

When he fell out of the stalls dead last I was wondering what colour the air was back in Closutton, but luckily for me the pace was so pedestrian I was able to slide forward on the outside into an ideal position to launch a challenge rounding the bend.

He could be a better horse on the flat, his pedigree has plenty of speed, but the Galway Hurdle could well be in his sights first.

With mixed cards having been done away with in order to have fewer jockeys at the track this year, we only have one representative today.

Eight And Bob runs in the colours of Clondaw Warrior and while he hasn't matched that star's trajectory, he has won five and was second twice at Galway last year.

Only two pounds higher this year, we have also handed him the added assistance of the marvellous Rachael Blackmore.

Winners

Blackmore has racked up a number of Flat winners this year, including a listed winner for Emmet Mullins.

For someone who usually has a big bag of lead or two when doing jumping weights, she's had to borrow my light saddle on several occasions this summer, which is significantly smaller than what she is used to!

I've noticed several new holes on the leathers too, much shorter than I'll ever need.

We've kept his mark since last year for another go, and I'd expect him to go close once again.

His wide draw might not look ideal but it should ensure he gets a clear run, something he needs as he lacks a quick change of gear, which caught him out last year when drawn low.

There should be no need for Blackmore to pull a Honeysuckle inside run, and I think she can get Bob over the line in front.

I always wondered why Jeremy Clarkson sometimes rambled on for half his articles when he was reviewing more ordinary cars, talking about everything and anything other than the car itself.

It was then I realised because some cars held no interest to him and/or there was very little to say.

I must confess I find myself in that particular predicament whilst looking through the rest of this Flat card but I've reached my quota of words now so I'm looking forward to proper racing for the next three days!

Patrick's Picks

Surrounding (5.45)

Eight And Bob (8.15)

Nam (7.45)