The Very Man out to emulate Penhill in intriguing Listed novice hurdle

It is an all jumps card at Galway on Wednesday and the opening Play The Tote Jackpot Novice Hurdle (4.45), a Listed race over an extended two miles, was the springboard to stardom for Penhill back in 2016.

His smash and grab raid there was one of Ruby Walsh’s finest Ballybrit rides and Penhill went on to win the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham later that season before winning the Stayers' Hurdle in 2018.

It is hard to know whether there is another Penhill lurking in the long grass this time, but The Very Man is unquestionably the class act of the contest. He already boasts a rating of 134 having won his last three starts and Gordon Elliott reports him to be in tip-top shape.

Elliott said: “The Very Man was always a nice horse and he has done nothing but improve over the last year. He won nicely at Roscommon on his return to action and I think he has come forward since then. He’s a nice horse and you’d like to think he’s got a decent chance.”

Elliott brings a bumper team to Ballybrit for Galway Plate day and perhaps his best chance of a winner is with Talk Of The Town in the 2m5f maiden hurdle (5.45).

He was a surprise winner of a Kilbeggan bumper earlier this month, going off at 20-1, but he won impressively and will not be the colour of that price on this occasion.

Elliott said: “He’s a nice horse and won well at Kilbeggan. Once he won that, it was always the intention to go for a maiden here at Galway so here we are.”

Pilbara chases a three-timer for Emmet Mullins in the 2m5f handicap hurdle (6.15).

A 20lb hike for a bloodless win at Tipperary was unable to prevent him from following up at Cork last Friday and he only has a 5lb penalty to defy on this occasion.

JP McManus might not have his strongest ever hand in the Galway Plate but you could not say the same of the 2m2f handicap chase (7.15) where he has four runners, with Mark Walsh opting to ride Thecraicisninety.

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