Galway preview

Just five go to post for the Grade Three Ballybrit Novice Chase, but the Galway feature has attracted a line-up befitting its feature race status.

Second here at the Festival in July, Rock The World is the one to aim at on these terms, assessed as he is as a 140-performer, and in receipt of 7Ib from the top-rated The Game Changer (144).

The Game Changer didn't set the world alight when 12th in the Guinness Galway Hurdle, but he's a very accomplished chaser with a record of three wins and a second from four efforts over the larger obstacles.

Dual Grade One-winning juvenile hurdler, Guitar Pete, made a most satisfactory start to his chasing career when runner-up over this track and trip at the end of July.

Sandra Hughes' charge was since workmanlike in victory at Kilbeggan, when getting home at odds of 4-11 against modest opposition. The track didn't play to his strengths then. Upazo has to be respected too, as he's the most experienced of the runners at this game.

The Tramore scorer goes into battle for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

Mullins' son Patrick is realistic about Upazo's hopes and said: "He's out at the ratings with The Game Changer and Rock The World. The conditions of the race don't particularly suit, but he won well at Tramore over his type of a trip I would imagine (two miles and six furlongs).

"He ran very well over two miles in Punchestown though, and if he could get some good place money we'd be happy enough.

"He got an awful fall in Limerick and it probably says a lot about his constitution that he was able to come back and jump as well as he has since.

"There's good prize money on offer so we have to take the chance."

Outsider Battling Boru is the other participant in the highlight.

Mullins and Walsh should be on the mark earlier on the card with the exciting Bachasson up a little in trip to an extended two and a quarter miles in the Deacy Gilligan Novice Hurdle.

Patrick Mullins himself could be at the number one spot, courtesy of the well-related newcomer, Screaming Rose in the concluding Weatherbys Ireland GSB Mares Flat Race.