Bob Olinger’s status as perhaps the most exciting young talent in the steeplechase game could get underlined at Punchestown on Sunday.
The Henry De Bromhead-trained star is on course to have his second start over fences in the Grade Three Kildare Novice Chase.
It comes just a couple of weeks after Willie Mullins’ Galopin Des Champs earned rave reviews for a ‘wow factor’ chasing debut at Leopardstown’s Christmas festival.
Galopin Des Champs won by 22 lengths in a performance that catapulted him to the top of the betting for Cheltenham’s three-mile Grade One novice heat, the Festival novice chase.
In contrast, Bob Olinger sat out the Christmas action but is one of 11 left in this weekend’s Punchestown contest after Tuesday’s latest acceptance stage.
He memorably put up a ‘wow factor’ performance of his own when routing his Ballymore Novice Hurdle opposition at last season’s Cheltenham festival.
Bob Olinger didn’t impress everyone with his own first start over fences at Gowran in November although time has provided a more favourable context on the form.
Master McShee, who finished third at Gowran, subsequently scored at Grade One level in Limerick on St Stephens Day and Bob Olinger is a clear 6-4 favourite for another Cheltenham novice contest, the Turners Novice Chase.
De Bromhead outlined on Tuesday how he understood some of the negative comment about Bob Olinger’s jumping at Gowran.
“I think you’d be entitled to comment on his jumping. It wasn’t spectacular. It was fine. He jumped some really well but there was a couple he didn’t jump so well. But it was good. He won. It looked a very good beginners’ chase on paper,” he said.
“He’s doing plenty of schooling. He’s jumping fine at home so we have no reason to worry about that having had that experience behind him. We’re looking forward to Sunday.
“There were a few options for him but this one was the one that stood out to us so we said we’d have a go with this,” De Bromhead added. .
Potential opposition at the weekend includes the Willie Mullins-trained pair Capodanno and Gaillard Du Mesnil who finished first and third respectively at Naas last month. Gaillard Du Mesnil was runner-up to Bob Olinger at Cheltenham in March.
Market leader
Last year’s race was won by Envoi Allen after a much anticipated head to head with Asterion Forlonge ended in anti-climax with the latter exiting at the first.
Sunday’s Grade Two highlight is the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle and Dysart Dynamo is a likely market leader to give Willie Mullins an eighth win in the race.
Dysart Dynamo impressed on his jumping debut at Cork last month and is one of just seven left in race won by the 22-1 outsider Dreal Deal in 2021.
Mullins also has the option of last month’s Naas winner Hawai Game while Gordon Elliott has left in Gringo D’aubrelle, third to Stage Star in Newbury’s Challow Hurdle recently.
The De Bromhead team is set to be represented by the Tramore winner Guily Billy who had been turned over at Clonmel on his first start of the season.
“We were disappointed but it was his first run. He possibly got bogged down in the ground but I’m not sure really. There was no obvious reason and he came out and did the job well in Tramore next time, which was good to see.
“Going to Punchestown was the next logical step for him after that. He’s won his maiden hurdle and now we step forward and see. We’ll learn more about him.
“He’s in good form and we’re hoping he’ll go and give a good account himself. It’s as you’d expect in this country. It will be extremely competitive but we’ll go and take our chance and see,” De Bromhead commented.
