Virus strike proves lethal as Weld without a runner in Galway maiden

It is a race he has won a staggering 24 times, but Dermot Weld will not be making it 25 at next week's Galway festival as he will be in the unusual position of not having a runner in Monday's Claregalwayhotel.ie (C & G) Irish EBF Maiden.

Weld's winners of the 7f two-year-old maiden include subsequent Group 1 winners Go And Go and Grey Swallow, but the trainer said on Wednesday: "It's a race we have done very well in over the years, but because the horses have been slow to come right, unfortunately, we don't have one ready enough to run in it this year."

However, Tandem, who has been the main flag bearer for Weld this year during which the team has been hindered by a virus, was described by Weld as a "possible" for the valuable Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap at Galway on Tuesday.

The eight-year-old is three from three this season, scoring twice over 1m4f and once over 1m2f, and Weld said: "Tandem is a possible for the Galway race but we'll wait another few days and see what way the ground is going before making a final decision."

Tandem (left) may yet go to GalwayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The ground at Galway was yielding to soft on the Flat course and yielding on the chase and hurdle tracks following 18mm of rain overnight. The forecast is for showers and sunny spells.

Weld has been leading trainer at the Galway festival a staggering 29 times, but because of the way his season has gone he is not expecting to win back the title from Willie Mullins next week.

"We think we've turned the corner and that our horses are healthy again but we're behind schedule and, consequently, we'll have far fewer runners than usual next week," he said.

If you're interested in this, read more about the Galway festival:

Six horses to watch out for at the Galway festival

Mullins bidding to serve it up to Galway Plate rivals