Balko Des Flos Galway Race Preview
Balko Des Flos is declared to run at Galway tomorrow in the W.B. Gavin & Co. Handicap Hurdle at 3.37pm.
Rachael Blackmore takes the ride.
Declarations can be viewed here.
The race will be shown live on Racing TV (channel 426 on Sky).
Balko Des Flos is back in action tomorrow at Galway, his first run back of the season since finishing second in the Grand National in April. Balko enjoyed a great summer break with plenty of sun on his back spent in the paddocks. The Grand National would have taken its toll on him as he put absolutely everything in that day. Giving him plenty of time off would have helped him mentally and physically in preparation for the season ahead.
Henry de Bromhead was delighted with his condition when he returned to him for training and reports have been very positive. He still shows all his old enthusiasm and has been working very well. Henry was very keen to get a run into him before his main early season target of the cross-country race at Cheltenham on 12th November. Tomorrow’s race looks the ideal starting point reverting to hurdles at a track he won the famous Galway Plate at back in 2017.
Rachael Blackmore is booked to ride, having her first ride back since her injury back in July. She was very keen to take the ride and felt Balko was the ideal horse to get her back onto the track. As we all know, Rachael and Minella Times were the only partnership which stood in front of Balko in the Grand National but its fantastic to have riding for us tomorrow.
Henry de Bromhead said, “Balko is back in action tomorrow and I’m very happy with him. He came back to me in great condition and the summer break did him the world of good. His training has been excellent and as always is a pleasure to train. He really is a favourite in the yard so we’re all excited to see him back in action. His main aim this side of Christmas is the cross-country race at Cheltenham on 12th November. I wanted to get a run into him before then to sharpen him up. I feel the race is the ideal starting point for his season and I’m hoping he runs well. He’s got a long season ahead in some massive races so its all to look forward to. Rachael Blackmore is back from injury and takes the ride which is great, and I know she can’t wait to reunite with Balko.”