Galway Festival: Bookies braced for four-midable Weld challenge

Bookmakers have long since dreaded Dermot Weld at Galway but they could have to brace themselves for a perfect Day Three festival storm from the 'King of Ballybrit'.

Weld sends just four runners out today but all of them look set to start favourites, including New Agenda in a finale the trainer has won for the past half-dozen years.

Should Stuccodor secure the maiden hurdle, Time To Inspire land the amateur maiden and Shahzeena beat the boys in the mile handicap, the potential for huge accumulative damage on the layers will see them taking no chances.

There would be irony then if the prospect of a perfect 'four-from-four' got turned over by Weld's apprentice jockey Leigh Roche who has been snapped up by Tony Martin to ride the bottomweight Laganore in Shahzeena's handicap.

It looks significant Laganore lines up considering she won her maiden a week ago after which Martin indicated she might skip the festival.

She also tackles the longest trip she’s yet faced but with the Britannia third Sacrificial topping the handicap, Laganore’s new 75 rating means she carries a featherweight.

Stuccodor and Time To Inspire look hard to oppose with the latter, a half brother to Forgotten Rules, having a first start since being gelded and faced with modest opposition.

Stuccodor hasn’t run since the Lincolnshire in March, and not over flights since New Year’s Day, but boasts more jumping experience than his rival Thomas Hobson and a higher flat rating to boot.

The claiming sensation Jack Kennedy takes weight off the smooth Bellewstown winner Be Seeing You in the handicap hurdle. Raised 11lbs for that win, Be Seeing You renews rivalry with Coldstonesober who has gone on to win twice at Sligo and Tipperary.