The surprise withdrawal of Theatreworld from next Thursday's Guinness Galway Hurdle has caused a substantial shift in the weights, with the David Nicholson-trained Shankar now set to top the handicap.
Aidan O'Brien took Theatreworld out of the race at yesterday's forfeit stage, leaving 43 entries for the race, including five English-trained horses. A maximum of 27 are allowed to run.
"We felt that carrying 12.7 was asking a lot of the horse. He could run instead in the race he won on the Friday last year," said O'Brien yesterday.
Nicholson yesterday committed Shankar to the race, and the winner of a novice chase on his most recent start will be Nicholson's first Galway runner.
"He is a big horse and should be able to carry weight," the Jackdaws Castle-trainer said.
The increasing backseat position that Saturday racing is taking in this country is emphasised by the Curragh's decision to race last night, leaving Dundalk to hold the fort today.
The card is nothing to get excited about, and indeed major punters are likely to shy away from it. Nevertheless, seven races are there to be won and Kilkenny Castle looks the one in the County Maiden.
Charles O'Brien's Grand Lodge colt has only had the one run back in April at the Curragh, when sixth in a maiden to Major Force. O'Brien's horses have had a relatively disappointing season with only three successes, but Kilkenny Castle is clearly in shape for a race and should be up to beating the ex-Michael Stoute-trained Sapphire Trio.
The Westmeath-based trainer John Bowles can score a mixed double with a couple of his stable stalwarts, both of whom will be ridden by David Casey.
Back To Bavaria won a 0-60 flat handicap at Killarney, before running on well to be third to the gambled on Wonder Will He in a hurdle. She meets the fourth, Adradee, again but looks to have a winning weight.
Willyever was placed twice at Killarney, but if ridden patiently has a chance of defying topweight in the Blackrock Maiden, while the bumper can fall to the Ballinrobe and Down Royal runner up Tawny Owl.
Raceform, the producers of racing's official formbooks, are considering a marriage with the Racing Post. Mirror Group Newspapers, the owners of the Racing Post, have made proposals that could see them joining forces with Raceform in the next few weeks. Also on the negotiating table is the possibility of MGN taking over Raceform. Further discussions between the parties will take place before a decision is made in the next two weeks.
