'It was always the plan to come to Galway' - quality novice chase in store

Thursday: 2.45 Galway
Guinness Open Gate Brewery Novice Chase (Grade 3) | 2m2f | 4yo+ | RTE2/RTV

What Sole Pretender lacks in size, he makes up for in spirit and the eight-year-old certainly knows how to win races.

He has won nine times from 17 starts and is unbeaten over fences, having won at Ballinrobe and Roscommon this summer. He might not look like a chaser but he appears to be a natural over fences, particularly on his chasing debut when he posted an RPR of 150. That sort of figure gives him a big chance here.

Sole Pretender ran in the Galway Hurdle in 2019 and again in 2021, finishing fifth and eighth respectively, but it looks a wise move by Norman Lee to swerve the Thursday showpiece this time. It's a decision that could be vindicated in style in this Grade 3 contest.

Willie Mullins has won this novice chase three times since 2017, including with subsequent National Hunt Chase winner Rathvinden, and he relies upon the unbeaten chaser Ganapathi here. He is two from two over fences at Wexford, but his RPRs of 137 and 138 are some way below Sole Pretender's chasing debut.

Call Me Lyreen has also won his last two starts over fences, but he didn't have much to beat when scoring at 1-4 last time. His hurdle mark of 146 is only 4lb shy of Sole Pretender, so it would be foolish to rule him out.

Call Me Lyreen and Jack Kennedy win at Kilbeggan in JuneCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Visionarian and Champagne Gold were classy enough hurdlers who have made smooth transitions to chasing, but both need to improve to beat the market leaders.

Visionarian is the most interesting of that pair. He won his sole point-to-point at Knockmullen House in 2019 where he had the now 155-rated Tommy's Oscar, who ran in the Champion Hurdle in March, back in sixth.

The seven-year-old won only two of his nine starts over hurdles but still earned a rating of 134, and there was plenty to like about the way he went about his business on his first start over fences at Wexford.

He looks just the type to leave his hurdles form well behind over fences and might prove the main danger to Sole Pretender.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Call Me Lyreen
He has always been a nice horse and one we have liked. He's done well since switching to fences and this is another step up for him. It's a good, competitive race but he should run well.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Ganapathi
He's improving and looks like he has every chance. We'll have to see how he handles the undulation of this unique right-handed track, as his last two wins have been at Wexford, but if he does handle the track he must have every chance.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Champagne Gold
We were happy with what he did at Wexford. He kept at it and won nicely. I think he can continue to progress over fences.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Visionarian
I thought he jumped brilliantly at Wexford. He really took to it. We we've been looking forward to getting him started over fences. It was always the plan to come to Galway for this after he won at Wexford and, while it's an open and quality race, I think he has a decent chance.

Norman Lee, trainer of Sole Pretender
He's in great form and I couldn't be happier with him. It's a good race but we're looking forward to seeing how he gets on. We've aimed him at it.

Thursday previews:

1.50 Goodwood: 'He looks very progressive' - Can Migdam break Johnston handicap stranglehold?

2.25 Goodwood: Hot Royal Ascot form on show as Royal Scotsman bids for Richmond glory

3.00 Goodwood: Which horse has leading trainer Charlie Appleby 'always held in high regard'?

3.35 Goodwood: Can she improve again? Nashwa all the rage for Nassau, but this is no tap-in

5.05 Galway: 'This has been on my mind for a while' - Galway Hurdle insight and quotes

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