Shark Watch at the Galway Races as Rachael Blackmore rides again for glory

Two Shark Hanlon-trained horses have been subject to significant market support with BoyleSports on day three of the Galway Races.

Enfranchise, who finished a close-up seventh behind shock 50/1 winner Sirius in Monday’s feature, The Connacht Hotel Handicap, is set to make a quick reappearance as Hanlon launches a dual pronged assault at Ballybrit.

Having opened up at 9/2 overnight, the six-year-old Invincible Spirit mare is now just 15/8 to make a successful switch from the flat to jumps in race three on Wednesday’s card.

Already a wide margin winner of a maiden hurdle at last year’s festival, Enfranchise carries the colours of the Mee family. Hailing from the Tribal County, the Mees will be hopeful she will be their first winner of the week.

Hanlon is also set to field a well-fancied runner in the lucky last, with Hallowed Star looking to improve an impressive record at the track. The Sea The Stars gelding already boasts three wins at Galway, including a dominant 17-length victory in Saturday’s feature, the BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle in 2022.

After catching the eye in a recent run at Roscommon over a mile-and-a-half, punters have backed the nine-year-old into 11/2 (from 10/1) to return to the winners’ enclosure once again at Galway.

Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “Us bookies have our tails between our legs after a brilliant day for the punters on Tuesday and it looks like Shark Hanlon could have us on the ropes again today. He has two heavily backed horses that could have us looking at a significant payout.”

6.00 Galway

15/8      Enfranchise

5/1        She’s A Fine Wine

10/1      Royal Eagle

11/1      Minx Tiara

11/1      My Wee Bonnie Lass

11/1      A Law Of Her Own

11/1      Champella

11/1      Miss Fourie

14/1 Bar

8:15 Galway

9/2        Stormbreaker

11/2      Busselton

11/2      Hallowed Star

7/1        Mr Adjudicator

9/1        Nostra Casa

12/1      Golden Temple

14/1      Jacovec Cavern

14/1      Zoffanien

16/1 Bar