14:50 Galway

Sunday 25 October 2026

All12:3213:0713:4214:1714:5015:2015:5616:30

Medical Technology Ireland Expo Galway Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:52 | Winning time: 4m 12.50s

Inthenickoftime¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Peter Smithers⁽⁵⁾| T: E Bolger| OR: 118| C

5/2

Fairly useful handicapper. Progressed again to complete a course double with the minimum of fuss (16.5f, soft) last time. Now 3-3 at this track (hurdles/fences) and can make a bold bid for a hat-trick.

Form: 2P-0311

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Blue Train^h³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Philip Byrnes| T: C Byrnes| OR: 117| D

14/1

Well backed/much improved to make a winning handicap debut in a 13-runner event at Clonmel (2m, soft) in April. Only matched that form at Cork subsequently, though had been on the go for a while by that point. Reasonable to think he could resume progress following a pipe-opener on the Flat.

Form: 4781-5

Castleheath⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Eoghan Finegan⁽⁵⁾| T: Ciaran Murphy| OR: 116| BF| C| D

3/1

Shown a much better attitude both starts this year. Found only a highly progressive rival too good in big-field handicap at the festival here in August. Advanced his form when filling the same position at Ayr subsequently. Weighted to go well again.

Form: 4/450-22

Shellrunforbriggs^h¹⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Brian Hayes| T: M Winters| OR: 112| D

4/1

Smooth-travelling mare who went the right way last season. Won a Limerick handicap hurdle in good style prior to following up decisively over fences at Kilbeggan. Back hurdling and a hat-trick beckons if returning in same form.

Form: 16421-1

Rockbrook^p²⁰³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Ross Sugrue⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 111| CD

16/1

Won this corresponding race in 2024 on reappearance (heavy). Much higher in the weights now but as good as ever when completing soft-ground chase double in Naas handicap last winter. Capable fresh and has conditions in his favour.

Form: 731157-

Hesgonethatway²⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Simon Torrens| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 108| D

18/1

Lightly-raced 5-y-o. Different proposition when running out a convincing winner of Naas handicap (2m heavy) in February. Presumably had enough for the season when well beaten at Fairyhouse in the spring. Market likely to guide on return, with yard also saddling Rockbrook.

Form: 068150-

Just For One¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Michael Kenneally⁽³⁾| T: D G Murphy| OR: 101| D

9/1

Career best when winning 16-runner handicap hurdle at Tramore final start last season. Entitled to step forward from his return behind Inthenickoftime here earlier this month. Good-value claimer retained and has form under testing conditions.

Form: 02PP1-7

Space Warrior¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Daniel King| T: T Mullins| OR: 92| D

5/1

Winless since hurdling debut in 2024. Back in form when beaten 6½ lengths off a reduced mark at Gowran (2½m) before probably stretched by 3m at Punchestown latest. Potentially interesting back over 2m if he settles (can race freely), on what's likely to stamina-sapping ground.

Form: 63-9966

Non-Runners

Crystabel²

Weight: 10-10| Age: 5

T: J P Ryan J: Danny Gilligan

Forecasts

Inthenickoftime (5/2), Castleheath (3/1), Shellrunforbriggs (4/1), Space Warrior (5/1), Just For One (9/1), Blue Train (14/1), Rockbrook (16/1), Crystabel (16/1), Hesgonethatway (18/1)

It's hard to get away from hat-trick-seeking SHELLRUNFORBRIGGS, who was most progressive last season. Inthenickoftime and Castleheath head the dangers in an open-looking handicap.