Howard and Torrens bid for redemption after last year's festival nightmare

Sign Up For A Tote Account Irish EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle | 2m½f | RTV

It was in this race 12 months ago that Aidan Howard and Simon Torrens has their hopes of landing a big prize at the Galway festival were dashed when The Last Indian made a mistake at the first hurdle and unseated her rider.

Connections have had a year to get over that nightmare and new dreams abound as The Last Indian bids for compensation. Howard, a shrewd operator who is based at the Curragh, is confident The Last Indian can put up a good show.

He said: “The Last Indian is in very good form. I was a little bit disappointed with her at Ballinrobe but I think the race came a bit soon after Roscommon. It’s a hot little race.”

Dan and Harry Skelton have a squeak in the tote.com Galway Plate with Azzuri and could warm up for the feature race of the festival with So Lonely here.

Formerly trained in Ireland, So Lonely has won three hurdle races since transferring to her current connections in Britain, and she spearheads a decent challenge for the raiding party.

Tom Messenger, assistant to Dan Skelton, said: “She was in very good form in late spring and continues to be progressive. She steps up in grade in a competitive race but is an improving mare. She goes there with a shout.”

Harry Fry, another British-based handler who has targeted and enjoyed success at the summer festival at Galway in recent seasons, is represented by the JP McManus-owned Ena Baie.

Speaking about the five-year-old, Fry said: “We decided it was a prize worth going for and she got her head in front for the first time at Southwell last time. She will need to improve again to be competitive off her new mark.”

JP McManus: represented by two runners in the mares handicap hurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

McManus will have also have his green and gold colours carried by homebred Buttons And Bows, a recent winner at Wexford for Pat Flynn.

The trainer said: “We’re happy with her but we’re just a bit worried about the trip. It might be a bit short but the hill will help her.”

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