All The Answers

All The Answers only got home by just over a length from Fluspar in the end in the two-mile handicap hurdle at Galway on Tuesday, but the Joseph O’Brien-trained gelding was probably value for much more than that, and he should progress again.     Always travelling well for Barry Geraghty just behind the leaders, he moved up nicely on the outside on the run down to the second last hurdle, but he got in tight to that obstacle and landed a little flat-footed, with the result that, suddenly, he had five lengths to find with the leader, who kicked on around the home turn.

It is difficult to get going again when you lose momentum, up Galway’s hill around the home turn, but JP McManus’ horse picked up from there and closed on the leader on the run to the final flight. He again got in tight to that obstacle, however, as the leader flew it, and he had to get going again. He duly did, however, he grabbed the leader with 100 yards to run and he was eased down a little close home to get home by just over a length.

It was a fine performance by the winner. He was conceding 26lb to the runner-up, who got a flying start and had it all to himself up front, and the front two finished nicely clear of some useful hurdlers, including Copy Print and Trade Marked, who both came into the race on the back of a recent win.

Winner of his maiden over this course and distance at the Festival at the end of July, when he beat Silver Concorde, All The Answers could only finish third behind Penhill at Listowel last month, but that was on soft ground, and the winner was impressive in winning a Grade 3 contest at Tipperary since. This mark of 123 was a good mark for All The Answers for this, his handicap debut. He will, of course, get a few pounds from the handicapper for this, but he is only five, this was only his fifth run over hurdles, and he has lots of scope for progression.

11^th October 2016