Galileo's Choice: the Cheltenham fancy is in action at Wednesday's meeting
PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)Galileo’s Choice out to enhance Supreme claims
IF CHELTENHAM clues are what you are after at Fairyhouse on Wednesday, then get your binoculars in focus for the Easter Festival April 8th-10th Novice Hurdle (2.35) as William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle fancy Galileo’s Choice clashes with the Willie Mullins-trained Terminal who holds an entry in three of the novice events at the festival.
Galileo’s Choice hasn’t been seen since chasing home Sous Les Cieux in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle last December, but that form received a boost at Leopardstown last Sunday when his conqueror that day filled the runners-up spot in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle, another Grade 1 contest.
Dermot Weld has yet to fully commit to the festival opener with Galileo’s Choice and the master Of Rosewell believes Wednesday’s tussle with Terminal will tell him where he stands.
Weld said: “Galileo's Choice is very well. The race will help us decide about Cheltenham and I just hope the ground isn't too sticky.”
While the form of Terminal’s maiden hurdle win at Navan hasn’t worked out too well, Mullins was pleased with the effort.
He said: “I was very pleased with the way Terminal jumped at Navan where he made a lot of the running. He seems well and we're hoping for a good run.”
By the time Terminal enters the parade ring, Mullins could well be celebrating as he looks to hold all the aces in the opening Bobbyjo Bistro Maiden Hurdle (2.05).
Owned by his wife Jackie and ridden by his son Patrick, Primroseandblue made an encouraging start to his hurdling career at Gowran Park on Thyestes Day when following Snow Spell home and, although he has Valleymount to beat, he appears the most likely winner.
The locally-owned and trained Good Fella showed a welcome return to form at the track last month and will have plenty of followers in the 3m Handicap Hurdle (3.35). Paddy Mooney has a slight concern about the trip in such testing conditions but is expecting a big run.
Mooney said: “He seems in good form. He had a good blow out on the beach on Sunday. He likes Fairyhouse but we might have to ride him to try and get the trip if the ground is holding rather than loose as he hasn't been finishing out his racesthat well lately.”
