Geraghty returns just in time with two rides

Barry Geraghty, out of action since suffering a broken arm in a fall in the Irish Grand National in April, returns with two rides for JP McManus at Galway on the opening day including the Joseph O’Brien-trained Le Richebourg in the festival curtain-raiser, the Four-Year-Old Novice Hurdle (5.20).

The 2m event has attracted a field of nine and Le Richebourg is one of three in the line-up who is two from two over hurdles having achieved both of his wins at Killarney.

O’Brien said yesterday: "Le Richebourg has been going nicely. He's in good form but it looks a very competitive race. I don't think the easy ground will be a problem and we're hoping for a good run."

Willie Mullins will be going for a fourth consecutive win in the race with Nessun Dorma, the mount of Ruby Walsh, and he said: "It looks a very hot race but our horse has done everything right so far and is in good order. We're hoping he'll handle the ground which will be slower than he won on at Killarney last time."

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Twobeelucky is the other dual hurdles winner in the line-up, while Dermot Weld is represented by Aydoun, the mount of Bryan Cooper.

Weld said: "Aydoun is a fine big horse. He knows his job and jumps well, but it’s his first run over hurdles and he faces a big task against the previous winners in the race."

Weld has sent out six winner of this event since 2004.

Elliott seeking Canny success

Gordon Elliott is hoping Canny Tom can end a sequence of placed efforts in the Easyfix Handicap Hurdle (5.55). Runner-up on four of his last five starts, the seven-year-old is the mount of Keith Donoghue.

Elliott said: "Canny Tom has kept finding one too good for him in his recent races and deserves to win one. He's fit and well and we're happy with him, and he should again be there or thereabouts. Hopefully he'll get his turn."

O'Brien hoping conditions won't stop Eagle soaring

The in-form combination of brothers Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien are represented by Eagle Spirit, a winner for the pair at Naas over 1m2f on his most recent start, in the 1m4½f Three-Year-Old Handicap (8.10), but the Holy Roman Emperor gelding's trainer is worried on two fronts.

O’Brien said of his topweight: "He won nicely at Naas and came out of the race well, but he's drawn 13 of 13 which is far from deal and how he will handle the easy ground is also a worry.

McNamara hoping Mindset is good in finale

Robbie McNamara enjoyed success as a rider at the festival, with two of his wins at the meeting coming in the valuable amateur riders' handicap, and he will be hoping to get on the festival scoreboard as a trainer with Analytical Mindset (8.40).

Third at Cork on his debut 17 days ago, Analytical Mindset has since been bought by Dr Ronan Lambe for whom McNamara enjoyed success at Galway and at the Cheltenham Festival.

McNamara, who has secured the services of Derek O'Connor, said: "We were in a bit of a rush to get Analytical Mindset ready and I thought a run would bring him on better than a few pieces of work. He's fresh and well and I'm hopeful he'll take a lot of beating. He should come on plenty from his debut."