O'Brien and Weld bid for more success in maiden they have monopolised

Claregalwayhotel.ie Irish EBF Maiden | 7f, 2yo| RTE2/RTV

Aidan O'Brien and Dermot Weld had won all runnings of this event since 2006 until Andy Slattery and Ger Lyons struck in the last two years and the first-named pair are again involved with Innisfree and Shekhem expected to be the first two in the market for Monday's renewal.

The once-raced Innisfree finished second to Ballydoyle stablemate Year Of The Tiger over this trip at Naas earlier this month when he stayed on to be beaten four and a half lengths.

O'Brien, who last won the race with Jamaica in 2014, said: "Innisfree ran a nice race at Naas. We've been happy with him since and he's ready to go again."

Aidan O'Brien: runs InnisfreeCredit: Patrick McCann

Weld, who runs the Aga Khan-owned homebred Shekhem, said: "Shekhem is a nice sort and ran reasonably well on his debut at the Curragh on Irish Oaks day. We think he's progressive and we're expecting improvement from that first run."

Chris Hayes partners Shekhem, who will be attempting to give Weld his 24th win in the race which provided him with his first Galway festival success when Klairvimy was successful in 1972, his first year as a trainer. He last won the race with Right Honourable three years ago.

The three newcomers in the eight-runner line-up include the Paddy Twomey-trained Xian Express, who is the mount of Billy Lee.

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