2012 Galway Plate: Likeliest Winner?

Out Now

A proper chaser. He’s got size, without approaching the ‘big police horse’ range. In the main he jumps very well: he has the ability to jump fast and fluently meaning no ground is forsaken, and sometimes a little gained. This is important as he travels comfortably through races with his size offering power and rhythm. In the 40k Leopardstown Handicap Chase in January he was prominent in 7th most of the way. He finished 2nd off 128; notable that the winner was Seabass running off 131 - that horse went on to win a Grade 2 Chase on his next start (beating Zaarito) and then finished 3rd in the Grand National beaten only 5L. He ended the season rated 154, shedding some light on Out Now’s efforts to chase him receiving only 3lbs.

Out Now then ran in the Irish National off 131. At Leopardstown he was ridden on the inside but here he was in the middle of a big-field in about 12th. There was not a bother on him and he was still travelling powerfully 4 and 3 out. Rounding the bend he still hadn’t been shaken up as the front four moved on and going to the 2nd last he stormed into second and almost the lead, taking off a stride before the leader and eventual winner, who jumped it marginally better. The question then is, did he stay? It is a punishing trip of 29f if not yet physically complete: perhaps still maturing into his frame? Perhaps not. The winner, a 10yo giving weight away, slightly lesser in stature but thoroughly lion-hearted, fought best. A long run to the last and barely nothing had changed: this time Out Now jumped one stride ahead of Lion Na Bearnai, who rallied and kept on to the line as Out Now finally gave in, bested.

Two stellar performances in defeat that give strong indications about his chances over 22f with a testing finish. He has of course climbed to 138 from his last win off 119 but his overall profile is one of a talented staying chaser with something of an engine about to come into his prime. It is therefore interesting in itself (if he’s an intended runner) that he has been aimed here rather than given the summer off for a winter campaign and an allotted weight of just 10-2, or 10-9 if Follow The Plan comes out, should see him with an excellent chance.