Has Mark Walsh got it right? Six-strong JP McManus squad takes aim at Blazers

Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase | 2m6½f | 4yo+ | RTV

This race is often billed as a consolation for the Galway Plate but it's much more than that.

Who could forget Half Barrell winning back in 2006 as a 14-year-old for Val O'Brien and Niall Madden? Or what about the Mouse Morris-trained Rogue Angel, successful in 2015 before going on to win the Irish Grand National later in the season?

This may be a secondary race behind the Plate but time and time again it produces memorable races.

Quality has been on the rise in recent seasons and A Wave Of The Sea, a Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler who narrowly missed out on a place in Wednesday's Plate, heads the weights.

He is one of six runners owned by JP McManus, with Mark Walsh opting to ride the Enda Bolger-trained Everlastingpromise.

Cusp Of Carabelli was third in this race 12 months ago off 10lb lower and remains interesting, while Mortal may well be the pick of the Gigginstown four.

The one who may be staring us in the face is Sapphire Lady, representing the Willie Mullins and Paul Townend combination. She is a classy mare and could run riot off her light weight.

What they say

Frank Berry, racing manager for JP McManus, owner of A Wave Of The Sea, Everlastingpromise, Shady Operator, The Big Lense, Aramax and Uisce Beatha
A Wave Of The Sea only missed the cut by one for the Plate. He has loads of weight but seems to be in good form. It wasn't an easy choice for Mark but he's gone for Everlastingpromise, and Enda [Bolger] is very happy with him. Enda says he has come forward from his Killarney run. Shady Operator won well at Killarney before disappointing at Ballinrobe. The more rain the better for him. The Big Lense seems to thrive on being fresh and he won a nice pot at Kilbeggan. Aramax is talented but is becoming hard to predict. If he happened to turn up on the day he'd have a big chance. Uisce Beatha probably has it all to do on his recent form but he takes his chance.

Pat Fahy, trainer of Dunvegan
He ran a lovely race at Punchestown and a reproduction of that would give him a chance. He had a pipe-opener on the Flat and has schooled recently, so he comes here in good shape. He's healthy and well and we're hoping for the best.

Eddie O'Leary, racing manager for Gigginstown House Stud, owners of Mortal, Choungaya, Roaring Bull and Smoking Gun
Mortal ran very well on his first start for Sneezy [Denise Foster] but failed to back it up in the Midlands National. I wouldn't give up on him just yet and I've always felt he could win a race like this. Choungaya is not a busted flush either and I wouldn't rule him out. Smoking Gun has a chance but Roaring Bull has been struggling for form recently and would need to come back to something like his best to have a chance.

Sapphire Lady could be the pick of Willie Mullins' three contendersCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Willie Mullins, trainer of Pont Aven, Harrie and Sapphire Lady
Sapphire Lady has a nice weight and could be the type who's still improving. Harrie has been a bit disappointing but hopefully the step up in trip and drier ground will help him. Pont Aven is ridden by Adam Short, who got on very well with him when second at Punchestown, so hopefully he can get a good tune out of him again.

David O'Brien, trainer of Cusp Of Carabelli
He seems very well. Sean [Flanagan] was very happy with him at Killarney and he should come on a lot for that. He's 10lb higher than when third in this race last year but he wouldn't have got into the race off that mark this time. We're hoping for a good run.

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