Roaring Gallagher

Roaring Gallagher can be marked up a fair bit on the bare form of the performance that he put up in finishing sixth in the three-year-olds’ 10-furlong handicap at The Curragh on Sunday. Settled towards the rear of the field early on by Conor Stone-Walsh, he was 13th of the 14 runners as they straightened up for home. Moved towards the outside early in the home straight, he had his route to the outside blocked on the run inside the two-furlong marker, as a result of which he lost ground and momentum. He eventually got into the clear at the furlong marker, and he stayed on takingly down the outside, moving from third last to sixth, less than four lengths behind the winner Angelic Appeal.

This was probably a career-best performance by Joseph O’Brien’s horse, and it was his first run since May and his first since being gelded. He hasn’t won since he won a one-mile maiden at Bellewstown on his debut as a juvenile last season, but this was just his fifth race, and there is every chance that he will progress from it. By Roaring Lion, his dam is out of a full-sister to Islington, and she is a half-sister to winners over middle distances and staying distances. He stays 10 furlongs well, and he shapes as if he could go up to 12 furlongs no problem. He was a big price here, and might be a little under the radar.

The Curragh, 13^th August 2023