GALWAY (28 Jul 2005)

Good To Firm

3:00 St.James's Gate Novice Hurdle (4yo+)

[off 3:00] £9,234.04, £2,709.22, £1,290.78, £439.72 2m4f

Comments In Running OR TS RPR

1 Robert D T Hughes 6 11-6 P W Flood(3) 100/30 114 — —

2 5 Somethingforsunday C A Murphy 5 11-0 t A J Donoghue(3) 8/1 — —

3 3½ Duneden Noel Meade 5 11-5 b1 P Carberry 6/1 — —

4 2½ Hear Me Out E J O´Grady 5 11-1 A P McCoy 10/1 — —

5 2 Stage Right (GB) Patrick O Brady 4 11-1 J L Cullen 11/2 — —

6 Twofan (USA) C Byrnes 4 10-8 D N Russell 13/2 — —

7 Mr McAuley M Halford 7 11-6 R Walsh 9/4F 116 — —

8 Carrick Dante M A Joyce 10 11-2 J P Elliott 100/1 75 — —

9 The Pipers Inn G T Lynch 5 11-1 b D J Condon 100/1 70 — —

10 Romellia B W Malone 6 10-4 M P Watts(7) 66/1 70 — —

11 Ruthie´s Star V Bowens 5 10-3 K H Clarke(7) 66/1 — —

11 ran TIME 4m 45.10s TOTAL SP 122%

NON RUNNER: Urowells

1st OWNER: K F McNulty BRED: Mrs K Purfield TRAINER: D T Hughes

2nd OWNER: Burren Racing Syndicate

3rd OWNER: D G K Syndicate

TOTE WIN £4.50 PL £1.80, £1.80, £1.80; Ex £52.80; CSF £31.45

ANALYSIS: This looked a useful novice hurdle and having been run at a steady pace it was won in fine style by ROBERT. A two-time winner over hurdles coming into this race, Robert raced in second until taking up the running at the second last and he soon had the race in safe keeping. A confirmed good ground performer, the six-year-old may run again over hurdles (if a suitable opportunity in a novice hurdle arises) before Dessie Hughes sends him chasing in the autumn. He has a bright future.

Somethingforsunday came here having run a good fifth to Kentucky Charm in Monday night's GPT and emerged with credit. She was the only one that looked a threat to the winner after two out and was eventually a clear second. She, too, is a dual hurdles winner and looks quite capable of recording further success.

Duneden set a steady gallop until headed after the second last but to his credit he kept on under pressure. His three victories have come on quick ground and he can add to his tally once the ground remains dry.