Glor Na Mara

Given that he made his debut in a Group 3 as a two-year-old and that he was only beaten half a length by Zoffany on his next run in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes on his second start, Glor Na Mara has been rather disappointing, taking 16 runs to win his first race, but he is worth noting now after a good win in the Emirates Equestrian Federation Premier Handicap at The Curragh on Saturday.

He travelled nicely well back in the field, but he had to switch out to the wide outside coming inside the final quarter-mile. He quickened up impressively once in the clear, however, quickly coming to join the slightly errant Dandy Boy, and he kept on well all the way to the line to get the better of David Marnane’s horse, the pair of them a couple of lengths clear, and win well. The time was good, the fastest of the four one-mile races run on the day by some way, and that included the Irish 2000 Guineas and the Group 3 contest won by Emulous.

This was only Glor Na Mara’s second win in 20 starts, but he was always highly-regarded by Jim Bolger, and he has progressed with each of his four runs this term to date. Also, this was his first run ever on turf over a mile, he won on his only run on Polytrack over the trip, and it could be that this trip is the key to him. The handicapper has raised him 9lb to a mark of 98, but that is still 15lb below his peak early last season, and he impressed with the manner in which he picked up and stuck to his task through the final furlong, with Dandy Boy there to expose any flaws in his temperament or stamina. He will be interesting in a big one-mile handicap now, his ability to travel well should serve him well, and his entry in the Royal Hunt Cup looks very interesting, he could well be a player there were he to take up his entry.

26th May 2012

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