18+ | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Oliver in a race against time with The Highway Rat

The Highway Rat has been a great servant to connections. The Highway Rat has been a great servant to connections.
© Healy Racing Photos

Trainer Andy Oliver faces a race against time if he is to get his leading sprinter The Highway Rat back to the racecourse before the end of the year.

A five-time winner on the all-weather, the seven-year-old has also been successful on grass on a further two occasions.

Last seen when finishing third at Navan in August, the gelding is currently on the easy list having picked up an injury.

Oliver said: He has been a frustrating horse.

"He is a character when he is racing, he can look round him a bit. When he does run, he puts it out there and consequently he can be a bit hard on himself.

"He has just picked up another injury, so we may not get him back again this year - we'll see.

"We are trying because he does like Dundalk and the two races we go for every year - one is next week and the Mercury Stakes. It is looking less likely, but we are not beaten yet."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.

About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.