Timiyan favourite for Galway Hurdle as Elliott chases first win

Gordon Elliott added thetote.com Galway Plate to his burgeoning CV in 2016 thanks to Lord Scoundrel and now he has his sights set on winning a first Guinness Galway Hurdle with Timiyan, who has been installed as 8-1 favourite for Ireland's richest hurdle race by Paddy Power.

The entries and weights for the Galway Plate and Hurdle were revealed at lunchtime on Monday and Timiyan, who has won both starts since leaving Dermot Weld, leads a possible three-pronged attack from the Elliott stable. Automated and The Game Changer are his other two entries.

"All three are on course for the race at the moment. It would be a nice pot to win but it's always a seriously competitive race and I don't expect this year to be any different," Elliott said.

Last year's winner Clondaw Warrior could be back to defend his crown and he is one of seven possibles for Willie Mullins. The champion trainer's shortest-priced runner is 2015 Melbourne Cup runner-up Max Dynamite, who has not been seen over hurdles since finishing runner-up to Quick Jack in the Galway Hurdle two years ago. Indeed, his last appearance of any sort was in last year's Ascot Gold Cup when tenth to Order Of St George.

There is a strong British challenge, with six entries, and the Evan Williams-trained John Constable, who has won the Swinton at Haydock and Saturday's Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen, has joint-top weight with Clondaw Warrior.

"Timiyan has really upped his game over hurdles this year and as a previous winner at the festival with only 10st 4lb to shoulder, we believe he's the one to beat," Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said.

Galway Hurdle betting and card

The tote.com Galway Plate is just as open according to the betting with On Fiddlers Green and Shaneshill sitting at the top of the market with Paddy Power at 8-1. Balko Des Flos, representing 2015 winning trainer Henry de Bromhead, is next best at 10-1.

Last year's winner Lord Scoundrel is on track for the race according to Elliott, who also issued an upbeat bulletin on A Toi Phil. Shadow Catcher and Potters Point are his other two entries.

Elliott said: "Lord Scoundrel and A Toi Phil have both been aimed at the race and they seem in good form. Lord Scoundrel was brilliant in the race last year and gave us a great day but it will obviously be tougher this time around."

Galway Plate betting and card

Get ready for Galway: find out here about six horses to watch out for next week