McCullagh up for Aga rides

RACING: NIALL McCULLAGH steps in for three Aga Khan rides at Roscommon this evening as the legendary owner has his first runners since sacking Johnny Murtagh last week.

The trio include Ebalviyra in a conditions race and a lengthy break since finishing last in the Noblesse Stakes in June could see the unexposed filly upset the 96-rated Macbeth.

Murtagh rode Ebalviyra to win a maiden in May and the champion jockey hopes to return to action at Gowran Park on Wednesday after recovering from a fractured bone in his cheek.

“He’s fine again. He has to pass the doctors but we’re very hopeful he’ll be at Gowran,” said Murtagh’s agent Eddie Byrne yesterday.

The in-form Andy Oliver sends his Curragh runner-up Uleavemebreathless to the opening juvenile maiden today.

But a step up in trip could see Dermot Weld’s Cocktail Hour emerge best.

The latter’s stable companion, Supernovae, a daughter of the Grade One winner Dress To Thrill, can recoup Galway losses in the mile-and-a-half maiden.

Mont Blanc was always travelling like a winner when breaking her maiden on soft ground at Wexford and can make a successful first handicap start.

Klepht wasn’t beaten far in a bumper at Killarney on Thursday and will be tough to beat in the finale.