Shark Hanlon, Jordan Gainford and owner TJ McDonald celebrate last year's Plate win© Photo Healy Racing
Shark Hanlon reports Hewick ‘in right form’ as the rags to riches gelding heads the weights in his bid to land the Tote Galway Plate for a second successive year with 34 entries confirmed yesterday for the Festival highlight.
The €800 purchase has gone on to win nine races and over half a million in prizemoney including success in last year’s Plate as well as the American Grand National at Far Hills last October.
The eight-year-old gelding was last seen finishing fourth in a Grade 1 hurdle at Auteuil in May and has enjoyed a break since with a view to defending his crown at Ballybrit.
“He’s in right form and goes for the Plate. He worked in the Curragh during the week and I’m looking forward to it now,” said the Bagenalstown trainer of the 167-rated gelding.
“He’ll be giving away a lot of weight but that’s what you expect and hopefully we’ll have a bit of luck on our side again. He’s had a break and is not long back. Anything I’ve asked him to do he’s doing it well.”
However, Hanlon did sound a note of caution regarding ground conditions adding, “Hopefully the ground will be suitable. If it ends up soft he won’t run but hopefully that won’t happen.”
Gordon Elliott has won the Plate three times since 2016 with Lord Scoundrel, Clarcam and Borice and is mob-handed this year with 11 entries including Fury Road.
“Fury Road (rated 155) has been running in Grade 1’s for the last few years and won’t know himself dropping into a handicap. He’d a couple of very good runs in top company last season and has a decent chance,” said the Cullentra House trainer.
“Ash Tree Meadow was fourth in the race last year and ran well on the Flat at Roscommon. I’m very happy with him and he must go there with a good chance.
“Hollow Games’ season fell apart a bit after he won in Navan but he ended it on a brighter note at Punchestown. I think moving back up in trip will be a big help.
“The Goffer won the Leopardstown Chase over a similar trip and would have a good chance. Gevrey might struggle to get in but if he does he’ll run.”
Willie Mullins has dominated the Guinness Galway Hurdle in recent times with success for Sharjah, Aramon and Saldier all ridden by his son Patrick and the champion trainer’s nine entries include Sharjah.
Tudor City will try to land this valuable prize for a third time having won in 2019 and 2022, while the first four from 12 months ago are all set to return again with Jesse Evans, Prairie Dancer and Glan also among the 41 entries.
Elliott’s eight entries include Party Central, a last-minute absentee last year, who is likely to be one of the leading fancies after easily beating Jesse Evans on the Flat at Bellewstown earlier this month.
“Party Central missed the race last year but has been running well on the Flat and looked better than ever at Bellewstown. She’s won a big handicap before, has lots of experience and ticks plenty of boxes,” said Elliott.
“Fils D’oudairies won the Grimes Hurdle in Tipperary where he beat a competitive field and, if he turns up in that form, must have a good chance.
“Glan was fourth in the race last year and has been running regularly in these big handicaps. She ran won on the Flat in Roscommon and seems in great shape.
“Amir Kabir ran well at Galway last year. He’s an unexposed horse and could improve. Shecouldbeanything and Set Point won’t get in.”
