Lirakali
Lirakali put up a really encouraging performance on his hurdling debut to finish second behind his better-fancied stable companion The Captain's Word in the two-mile maiden hurdle at Gowran Park on Friday. Settled behind the leaders early on by Jordan Gainford behind a sedate pace, he jumped well for a debutant and he travelled well across the top of the track. He came under a ride as they raced to the home turn when the leaders quickened off the slow pace from the front. Only sixth jumping the second last flight, he stayed on well from there. He jumped the final flight in a share of second place, and he stayed on strongly up the run-in to get to within a nose of the winner. He was tightened up a little by his stable companion on the run to the line, but the result stood after the ensuing stewards' inquiry.
Even so, it was a big run by Henry de Bromhead's horse. The winner and the third were first and second from early, he did well to get in among them from a little further back off the sedate pace, and he was faster than all his rivals through each of the last two furlongs. This was just his second run, it was his first since he finished second in a bumper at Clonmel in May, and it was his hurdling debut so his potential for progression is obvious. He should be able to win his maiden hurdle soon before moving up in grade, he should improve with this experience under his belt, and he should do better off a stronger pace.
Gowran Park, 2nd October 2026
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