Riven bids to light up festival once again for Willie Mullins in Galway Hurdle

Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap (Grade A) | 4yo+| 2m | RTE2/RTV

A winner of the BMW Mile at the meeting in 2017 and 2018, Riven Light reverts to hurdles for the first time since the 2017 Punchestown festival, with trainer Willie Mullins believing he is well handicapped if his jumping stands up.

"It's been a long time since he ran over hurdles and his jumping wasn't good back then," Mullins said of the seven-year-old, the mount of Danny Mullins. "He's very well in at the weights and loves that hill – he's shown that on the Flat – but it's all going to depend on how he jumps."

Mullins also runs Stratum, Sayo and Shanning and said of his team: "Stratum was disappointing on the Flat last time but he's in good order and if the ground stays dry that will be a big help.

"Sayo has been off a long time and might lack experience for such a hot handicap with only three runs over hurdles. Shanning won well at Killarney two weeks ago and has a nice chance."

Joseph gives youth a go

No four-year-old has won the race since Perugino Diamond was successful in 2000 and Joseph O'Brien, who won the race with Tigris River two years ago, runs the only representatives of the age group – Band Of Outlaws and Gardens Of Babylon.

Success for Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle winner Band Of Outlaws would make him the first Cheltenham Festival winner to win the event since Tripacer, also a four-year-old, in 1962.

Cheltenham Festival winner Band Of Outlaws bids to become first four-year-old winner of the Galway Hurdle since 2000Credit: Grossick Racing

O'Brien said: "Band Of Outlaws had a lovely prep for the race when second in the Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary a few weeks ago. Good ground suits him well and he's in very good form.

"We're putting blinkers on Gardens Of Babylon as it looked as if he might benefit from them based on his run on the Flat at Killarney last time."

Elliott out to break his duck

For all the big races that Gordon Elliott has won, the Guinness Galway Hurdle has proved elusive.

Elliott has had four different horses placed in the big handicap, which is Ireland’s joint-richest hurdle race. Cause Of Causes, Flaxen Flare and Bayan all finished second in the race while Dirar twice ran third, and this year Elliott is represented by Chosen Mate and Tombstone as he bids to make the breakthrough in the €300,000 event.

Elliott is upbeat about the chances of Chosen Mate, who is two from four over hurdles and having his first run in a handicap. He said of Davy Russell’s mount: “He’s in very good form, he’s a Grade 2 winner and will love the ground. With luck in running he should go very well.”

Rachael Blackmore will attempt to become the first female rider to win the race on Tombstone. Elliott added: “You never know what to expect from Tombstone. If he brings his A-game he’d have a good chance, but if he doesn’t he’ll have no chance.”

Flat prep a good guide

Four of the last six winners of the race ran on the Flat in their final prep for the big event and six of the runners fit into that category this year. The group consists of Chosen Mate, Riven Light, Stratum, Davids Charm, Tudor City and Gardens Of Babylon.

One for the home team

In the past 50 years four winners of the race – Lesabelle (1973), I'm Confident (1989), Natalies Fancy (1992) and No Tag (1995) – were trained in County Galway. Representing the county is the Norman Lee-trained Sole Pretender, who is bidding for a four-timer having gone up a total of 31lb for his three wins.

Sole Pretender heads the weights on 11st 8lb and will be attempting to become the highest-weighted winner of the race since Quinze successfully carried 11st 12lb to victory 20 years ago.

What they say

John Joe Walsh, trainer of Davids Charm
He had no luck in the race last year and has been unlucky a couple of times since, including his most recent run at the Curragh. We're hoping for better luck this time.

Tony Martin, trainer of Tudor City and Golden Spear
Tudor City has some decent placed runs in good handicap hurdles. Things didn't quite go his way on the Flat last time but we're happy with him and he should give a good account. Golden Spear hasn't run since early May and is a horse we have to mind. He's been working nicely and should run very well.

Des McDonogh, trainer of Hearts Are Trumps
We gave him a mini-break after Fairyhouse. He's fresh and well but it looks a very hot race and I'm just hoping he runs well.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Ejayteekay and Ming Dynasty
Both are stepping up in class but are in good nick. They need to be dropped in and will need the gaps to come at the right time.

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