Bob Olinger may return in hot chase this weekend with setback 'not a big thing'

Bob Olinger could make his eagerly anticipated debut over fences in a beginners' chase with a rich history at Gowran Park on Saturday.

A stone bruise saw the brilliant Ballymore Novices' Hurdle winner withdrawn from his intended chasing bow at Punchestown last Saturday, but trainer Henry de Bromhead has insisted the issue is not a serious one and his return may be imminent.

Saturday's 2m4f Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase (11.30) has been nominated as Bob Olinger's potential target, a race the Grand National-winning trainer has pointed some of his biggest guns towards in recent years.

The Knockeen trainer finished second in the 2019 and 2018 runnings with last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup one-two Minella Indo and A Plus Tard. The former bumped into Grade 1 winner Laurina there on his introduction to chasing.

Bob Olinger: absent since last season's Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Energumene blitzed his rivals in this race last year, while Irish Gold Cup scorer Bellshill got the better of Ryanair Chase winner Balko Des Flos in 2016. Two years earlier, dual Cheltenham Festival winner Don Poli opened his account over fences in the same 2m4f event.

Bob Olinger was touched off by the since-absent Ferny Hollow in a maiden hurdle on this Gowran card last year.

"He just wasn't 100 per cent, so we said we'd leave him," said De Bromhead of his Punchestown absence.

"It's not a big thing so, touch wood, we'll be all right. Hopefully, we'll maybe go to Gowran."

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It promises to be a significant few weeks on both sides of the Irish Sea for De Bromhead, who is readying A Plus Tard for the Betfair Chase on Saturday.

Honeysuckle remains on course for her bid to pull off a hat-trick of wins in the Bar One Racing-backed Hatton's Grace Hurdle on November 28.

Only star mares Solerina and Apple's Jade have managed to win the Fairyhouse highlight in three consecutive years.

Honeysuckle: remains unbeaten after 12 starts under rulesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"We're hoping to bring A Plus Tard to Haydock at the weekend," said the leading trainer. "He seems in great form.

"Honeysuckle is really good. She worked well the other day, all is good at the moment with her."

On Envoi Allen, who made a pleasing return when winning at Down Royal last month, De Bromhead added: "It's highly likely that we'll see him in the John Durkan at Punchestown next month."

More immediately, Navan plays host to the €80,000 Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase on Sunday and Eleazar Des Neiges could represent the Waterford team in the feature event.

Owned by Gigginstown House Stud, who have landed three of the last nine runnings of the Grade B event, the 130-rated maiden over fences shaped well when second to Ilikedwayurthinkin at Galway two starts ago before being pulled up in the Cork Grand National.

De Bromhead has also entered useful chaser Somptueux for the staying test.

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Upping The Ante star Gavin Lynch joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.