Bryony Frost and Black Corton head Nicholls two-pronged attack on Galway Plate

Eleven years on from landing a significant gamble with Oslot, Paul Nicholls is setting his sights on the Galway Plate once again, with Black Corton and Modus being targeted at the €300,000 prize on July 31.

The Ditcheat trainer finished seventh with 10-1 chance Caid Du Berlais on his most recent attempt at landing the Tote-backed handicap in 2014.

Nicholls said: "We'll have just two entries for Galway, both in the Plate – Black Corton and Modus. The intention is for both to go to Galway."

Bryony Frost will bid to become the toast of Ballybrit with her faithful partner Black Corton, fresh from running in the Ascot Stakes at the royal meeting.

Nicholls said of his gutsy eight-year-old: "It was a hard task for Black Corton at Ascot but it was the chance to get a run in after Sandown and he ran as well as could be expected."

Ruby Walsh is all smiles after Oslot wins the 2008 Galway Plate for Paul NichollsCredit: Caroline Norris

Galway manager Michael Moloney welcomed the prospect of further overseas runners taking up the challenge for the race which has seen an increase in prize money of €50,000 since last year.

He said: "Always around this time of year there's a little bit of interest from overseas and we try to contact them to put it in the front of their minds.

"With huge prize money for the 150th running of the Galway Plate, we'd be hopeful of attracting runners over and it's great to hear that Paul is targeting the race. It adds an extra dimension."

As the quality of the race increases, life has become more difficult for smaller stables to have a runner in the chasing highlight of the festival – something Galway have attempted to address this year.

In the 1999 edition, horses rated 110 made the cut, while ten years later a mark of 123 would have sufficed. Last year's renewal saw 2014 winner Road To Respect fail to get a run as the third reserve off 140.

Galway manager Michael Moloney has welcomed more overseas runners at BallybritCredit: Ray Ryan

Galway has sponsored two races which will give the winner a place in the Galway Plate as long as they are in the handicap: a 2m4f handicap chase run at Kilbeggan last month (won by Henry de Bromhead's Conrad Hastings) and a 2m6f handicap chase at Limerick on Saturday of next week.

Moloney said of the initiative: "The idea was to give a different route to get into the Plate.

"People may have just began to get caught out by the ratings rising for the race, it's not easy to get into anymore. Galway has always been about giving the smaller trainer an opportunity and this is trying to continue on with that."

There is also a qualifying race for the Guinness Galway Hurdle, an extended 2m handicap hurdle at Bellewstown this Saturday.

He added: "On Friday of the festival we also have increased prize money from €30,000 to €80,000 for the Galway Blazers and a consolation-type race for the Guinness Galway Hurdle called the Guinness Galway Tribes Hurdle.

"They should be interesting races for strong prize-money which can produce good stories."

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