Neveradullmoment can strike at favourite venue

Irish Examiner

4 days ago

As is the case with many horses at the Galway Races, Neveradullmoment thrives with the benefit of the Ballybrit air and he can put a fourth course win on his card by taking the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase on this evening's card.
Philip Dempsey's horse has just one win from 14 starts over fences, but that came last September in a handicap at this venue. A year earlier, in a beginners' chase at this track, he finished runner-up to Perceval Legallois and, given they were off level terms, it was a huge effort behind a horse that rose to a mark in the 150s.
Twice a winner over hurdles at this meeting, he is sure to have been primed for this contest and given his current handicap mark looks more than manageable, he will take a great deal of beating despite the fact this is as competitive as ever.
Henry de Bromhead has a great record in this race, having won it four times in the last nine years, and Native Speaker, the mount of Darragh O'Keeffe, can give a bold showing. Antrim Coast is also capable of a bold showing following a good effort in defeat last time out.
Dance For Cheser can complete his hat-trick by taking the Arthur Guinness Handicap. Switched from Michael Mulvany to Stephen Thorne after winning a five-furlong handicap in Naas, he made an immediate impact for his new trainer by winning a seven-furlong race in Gowran Park.
Those wins have seen his mark rise to 65 but it is quite likely that underestimates his ability. He hasn't run in 100 days but, with cut in the ground a positive, and the step up to a mile unlikely to pose any problem, he can maintain his upward trajectory.
Top-weight Spanish Temptress was most impressive last time out, at Killarney, and she has strong place claims, while Elusive Duke is interesting on his first start for Mark Molloy, having been in good form and looking progressive when with Kevin Coleman.
The Rockshore Refreshingly Irish Race looks hot but former leading bumper horse A Dream To Share was impressive when making the breakthrough on the Flat and can follow up. The seven-year-old is taking on some highly rated sorts but remains very much unexposed in this sphere and can continue on his winning ways.
Jarrive De Mee had a profitable last season over hurdles and can make a seamless transition to chasing by taking the Guinness Beginners' Chase. It is a race in which there are many useful hurdlers going over fences for the first time but most of them have something to prove, having gone off the boil or disappointed a few too many times in that sphere.
The selection, however, was most progressive, winning three times before taking on Grade One company at the Punchestown festival. Given he was also stepping up to three miles for the first time and taking a huge step up in class, it was encouraging that he found plenty in the closing stages to be beaten just nine lengths behind stablemate Jasmin De Vaux.
It is also a positive that he has winning form in point to points, and with a good round of jumping, he will be hard to beat. Sandor Clegane is rated just below 150 over hurdles but he hasn't won a race since 2023, while What's Up Darling and Shantreusse are rated in the 130s over fences but have had many chances.
Talk In The Park really ought not be good enough and yet he makes some appeal in the place markets.