One of the most promising horses in training is set to return to the track on Sunday Henry de Bromhead’s Bob Olinger looks likely to run at Navan. It’s the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle and he could be taking on two-time Stayers’ Hurdle-winner Flooring Porter. Liam Bramall thinks that Bob Olinger could return to form in a big way and go on to win the staying crown. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Despite winning at Cheltenham, the awesome performance from Galopin Des Champs before his last fence fall did lower his colours. de Bromhead’s charge finished very tired as the Mullins horse had run him into the ground. Bob Olinger was bitterly disappointing when upped to three miles for the first time at Punchestown. That performance was probably reflective of the hard race he had at Cheltenham and wasn’t a true representation of the horse. Although unbeaten over fences beforehand, he never truly looked like a natural over fences. Returning to hurdles is certain to suit and the summer break will have done him the world of good.
The 2m4f Grade 2 at Navan on Sunday is the perfect starting place for his journey back to Cheltenham. Flooring Porter is his main opposition and represents a notable challenge for obvious reasons. This trip is likely to suit Bob Olinger more than his rival, who excels over three miles. His best hurdles form is arguably better than either of Flooring Porter’s Stayers’ Hurdle wins.
Cheltenham was the scene of Bob Olinger’s greatest triumph, winning the Ballymore with consummate ease. He made Bravemansgame look like a handicapper that day, a performance that’ll live long in the memory. A natural over hurdles, he is also a three-mile point winner which suggests the extra distance of the Stayers’ Hurdle isn’t an issue. We didn’t see the true Bob Olinger last season and he looks set to return with a bang this time around.
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