Great White Shark going for a second bite of Galway prize-money

2.30 Galway
Galway Shopping Centre Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) | 2m6f168yds, 4yo+ | RTV

Willie Mullins has assumed the role of Galway festival king and, as another successful week for his team at Ballybrit nears its end, he will be attempting to win Saturday's feature event for the fourth time in five years.

Heading his quartet of runners is Great White Shark, who landed the Connacht Hotel Amateur Handicap on the Flat on Monday when ridden by Jody Townend, whose brother champion jockey, Paul, is on board here.

The five-year-old mare is the only one in the 20-runner line-up running in a handicap for the first time and Mullins said: "Great White Shark came out of Monday's race well. She might be nicely handicapped and the trip should not be a problem. She has to have a good chance."

Of his other runners, Mullins added: "Contingency won over the course two years ago and ran very well when second in a big handicap at the Punchestown festival this year. She's back from a break after winning a chase in June and seems in good form.

"We were delighted with Eclat Des Mottes's run at Killarney last month when he was third over a similar trip. He was coming back from a break so you'd imagine he'll improve. He's low in the weights and has a live chance.

"Any Susan has been placed over fences on her last two starts and probably will find it tough, although she's at the bottom of the weights."

The McManus mob

JP McManus-owned horses account for almost 50 per cent of the field with nine of the runners carrying his famous green and gold colours and a variety of caps.

Carlingford Lough in 2012 was the last McManus-owned winner of the race and his army on Saturday includes Hearts Are Trumps, sixth in the Guinness Galway Hurdle on Thursday, the British-trained pair Project Bluebook and Didtheyleaveuoutto, Ivanovich Gorbatov and, lurking on bottom weight, the John Kiely-trained Rock De Baune, a winner on the Flat on his most recent start.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Ivanovich Gorbatov and Plinth, another of the McManus squad, said: "Both are in good form. Fences haven't worked out for Ivanovich Gorbatov so far, so we're switching him back. Now that he's older we're hoping the longer trip might suit. Plinth has loads of experience but is difficult to predict nowadays."

Ivanovich Gorbatov: could be suited by the longer tripCredit: Patrick McCann

What they say

Noel Meade, trainer of De Name Escapes Me, Cosmo's Moon and The Red Menace
We're claiming 7lb off De Name Escapes Me as he has plenty of weight. Any ease in the ground would help as he doesn't want it too quick. Cosmo's Moon is a good, consistent horse. He's well and should have a good chance. He'll like the ground and the trip. We're trying blinkers on The Red Menace to try to wake him up as he's been a bit disappointing.

Des McDonogh, trainer of Hearts Are Trump
The Galway Hurdle on Thursday was a messy race but he stayed on well for sixth and the way he finished the race would encourage you to think this longer trip might suit.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Neverushacon
He ran a blinder in the big amateur Flat handicap on Monday. He's versatile and is better handicap over hurdles than fences. He should have a good chance.

Matthew Smith, trainer of Maeve's Choice
He's coming back from a break and if he runs to the form he showed when winning at Fairyhouse and Ballinrobe in the spring it would give him an each-way chance. Any rain would be welcome.

Harry Kelly, trainer of Great Trango
Considering he had a bad draw and they went no pace, he did well when eighth in the amateur handicap on the Flat on Monday. He flew home and, back over hurdles and up in trip, he should go well, especially if we get some rain

bet365 join the Racing Post app. You can bet directly with bet365 on the Racing Post iOS app – to download the latest must-have free app click here