GALWAY PREVIEW: JUST ONE horse has won back-to-back editions of the Galway Hurdle, but Indian Pace can join the Ballybrit elite by again landing the €250,000 feature this afternoon.
Only Pinch Hitter in 1982-83 has won the famous race more than once in its 59-year history, which is hardly a surprise as this is one of the most coveted, and competitive, prizes on the Irish National Hunt scene.
Today’s renewal is no exception, with Raise Your Heart topping the weights, another former winner in Cuan Na Grai (2006), as well as a fancied Dermot Weld representative in Vital Plot in the field.
The 6 to 1 favourite yesterday, however, was Deutschland, who was the original topweight for yesterday’s Plate when the weights were announced. But he looks a dangerous contender from the other end of the handicap over these smaller obstacles.
Champion trainer Willie Mullins won this race with Mystical City in 1996, but Co Waterford-based John Kiely trumps that as, in addition to Indian Pace last year, he saddled Black Queen to win in 1998.
Kiely’s pedigree in targeting this big pot is proven, and he is following the same route with Indian Pace this year as last when he finished fifth in the big Monday night amateur event on the flat before memorably beating Eagles Pass by a length.
Last Monday Indian Pace ran 10th to Ghimaar in the flat race, but a slow early pace didn’t help him and he met interference a number of times in the closing stages.
More relevant, perhaps, is that the horse is 10lb higher in the ratings compared to last year. But against that, despite Kiely voicing some concerns, is his adaptability in terms of ground. Paul Townend is on board again for the first time in almost a year, and Monday’s run should put Indian Pace spot-on for a tilt at a little piece of history.
Dermot Weld landed the big hurdle with Ansar eight years ago and he has been rather bullish about Vital Plot in the run-up to today. Given Weld’s record here that is significant in itself and Vital Plot could emerge as a threat.
Jessica Harrington isn’t represented in the big race, but she should have a major say in the following mile-and-a-half handicap when No One Tells Me can successfully return to the flat.
Declan McDonogh’s mount won over hurdles in good style here on Monday, after which Harrington immediately targeted today’s race. No One Tells Me ran three times as a juvenile, including when a decent fourth at Galway, and her mark of 60 looks really attractive in this context.
Gratified was runner-up over jumps in the first race of the festival and tops the weights here. Frutti Tutti is 11lb higher for winning well at Killarney, so in the circumstances No One Tells Me looks the one.
Another horse rapidly rising through the ratings is Separate Ways, who tries to follow up a couple of impressive victories at Killarney in the mile handicap.
David Marnane’s runner ran off 63 and 68 in Kerry, but now competes off a mark of 81. He was so eye-catching at Killarney, though, that he still looks the one to beat, although the veteran Fit The Cove could represent a touch of value under Danny Mullins.
Miranda’s Girl, who disappointed when starting joint-favourite for Tuesday’s Tote Mile, gets a chance to repeat her victory of last year in the seven-furlong fillies handicap.
The Cleary filly has topweight, however, and has to concede a decent chunk to the Weld contender Anywaysmile, who broke her maiden at Naas.
Island Oscar put in a reasonable debut at Tipperary and may figure in the concluding bumper, while Tony McCoy can strike in the novice hurdle with the Clonmel-winner Glenstal Abbey.
