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

Thursday: 5.05 Galway
Guinness Galway Hurdle | 2m | 4yo+ | RTE2/RTV

Patrick Mullins has written most of the recent chapters in the story of the Guinness Galway Hurdle, winning three of the last four runnings, but he has no ride this year so punters have had that shortcut to profit snatched from them.

Mullins' father Willie has won the race five times in all – Mystical City (1996), Clondaw Warrior (2016), Sharjah (2018), Aramon (2020) and Saldier (2021) – and he has four chances of adding a sixth win.

Adamantly Chosen, the choice of Paul Townend, might prove to be a step ahead of the handicapper and the way he was supported for both the Martin Pipe (11-2) at Cheltenham and a hot handicap hurdle (9-2) at Punchestown suggests connections think he has more ability than his mark suggests, but he has plenty to prove.

The trip could catch him out. He has no experience in big-field handicaps over the minimum trip and the first mile of the race is the big concern. If he does find himself in a good early position and gets into a decent jumping rhythm, he will be bang there. But he is no value given those concerns.

Santa Rossa won the Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary last time, just as Aramon did in 2020, and she looks like she could have plenty more to offer. She should be favourite.

Santa Rossa: Grimes Hurdle winner looks to have leading chanceCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

A 10lb rise for that win brings her up to a mark of 144 but she might well be better than that and the frantic early gallop will certainly help her settle. She could be hard to beat.

My Mate Mozzie is a talented sort and going back right-handed will allow him to show just how much class he has. Cheekpieces can help him concentrate too.

Ballyadam has top weight but that has been no barrier to success in this race in recent years and Henry de Bromhead has made no secret of the fact this has been in his mind for quite a while. His County Hurdle fifth is decent form.

Another at a juicy price worth considering is Autumn Evening. He is only 2lb higher than when a close third in the Liffey Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival and he traded at a low of 1.54 in running there.

This is a high-class renewal and my two against the field are Santa Rossa and Autumn Evening.

'I wouldn't swap my horse' – Townend keen on Adamantly Chosen

Adamantly Chosen is the chosen one from the Closutton camp according to punters. He looks certain to go off favourite after sustained support earlier in the week and Willie Mullins thinks the unexposed five-year-old has plenty going for him.

Mullins certainly knows what it takes to win one of the summer's most prestigious prizes and when asked about the chances of Adamantly Chosen he replied: "He ran well at Punchestown and wasn't beaten far. We're hoping this type of race will be right up his street. I think he'll go on the track and he'll like the ground so we're hopeful."

Paul Townend has picked Adamantly Chosen too as he searches for a second win, 14 years after he won it on Indian Pace for John Kiely.

Townend said: "He hasn’t had that many runs so hopefully he could still be on the right side of the handicapper. He ran a very big race in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, better than his finishing position suggested. He seemed to get tired up the hill there. He wasn’t beaten far at Punchestown on the last day of the season and he didn’t get a clear run around there."

Speaking in his Ladbrokes blog, Townend added: "I'm hoping the penny is starting to drop now for him. He is on the improve and off a nice, competitive racing weight. It's a lottery, but I wouldn’t swap my horse."

Adamantly Chosen: fancied by Paul TownendCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Farout weakened tamely after leading on the home turn in the Connacht Hotel Handicap on Monday but Mullins thinks we will see a different horse this time.

He said: "Farout was far too keen on Monday night. We're going to change tactics on him and I would be pretty sure those changes in tactics could bring about plenty of improvement."

On the rest of his team, he added: "Shewearsitwell has to come back from a disappointing run at Tipperary but her best form would give her a chance here, while Heia's form might be over a longer trip. We're hoping the likely fast pace of a Galway Hurdle will bring her stamina into play."

Can Santa arrive early to give McLoughlin another major prize?

Dermot McLoughlin has taken the last two Irish Grand Nationals with shock winners at 150-1 and 40-1 but it would be no surprise were Santa Rossa to triumph.

She is potentially top notch and, while a 10lb rise for her stylish Grade 3 win at Tipperary will make life tough, she is rightly towards the top of the market.

The County Meath trainer has never made any secret of the fact she saves her best for the track and he is convinced the relentless gallop of a Galway Hurdle will play to her strengths.

McLoughlin said: "She never shows you much at home, but she always turns it on when she gets to the track. She's done well since Tipperary and everything has gone according to plan. I think a race like this will suit her."

Elliott out to rectify omission from CV

Gordon Elliott doesn't have many gaps left on his CV but the Galway Hurdle is one highlight he has yet to conquer and the absence of Party Central weakens his hand.

He trained the runner-up in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and originally had a six-strong team before ante-post second-favourite Party Central was ruled out through lameness.

Felix Desjy, favourite in 2020 when an early casualty, captains his team. Elliott said: "Felix Desjy was favourite for the race a few years ago but fell early. It was great to see him get his head in front again at Punchestown and he's a very good horse on his day."

Felix Desjy: heads up strong Gordon Elliott teamCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He added: "Vina Ardanza is a nice young horse who hopefully has a bright future. Top Bandit was a bit disappointing in the County Hurdle but we've always thought he was a nice horse. The Tide Turns didn't run his race at Bellewstown but there was a valid reason for that as he got a cut. He ran very well at Fairyhouse over Easter. Glan is a nice mare who won a competitive handicap at Fairyhouse in the spring."

What they say

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Ballyadam
I've been very happy with him. This race has been on my mind for him for quite a while.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Embittered, Celestial Horizon and Prairie Dancer
Embittered has been chasing but we don't think going back over hurdles will be a problem. Celestial Horizon was disappointing at Tipperary and he will need to get back on track to have a chance here.

John McConnell, trainer of Anna Bunina
We’re very happy with her work. A fast-paced race will suit her as she’ll be staying on at the end of it. I think she’ll cope with Galway fine. She’s well used to the undulations. There is a question mark whether she’s better going left-handed. She’s been a stalwart for us this season.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of My Mate Mozzie
I'm happy with him and the ground should be perfect. It will be a help going right-handed and I hope he's got a big chance.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Autumn Evening and The Very Man
Autumn Evening ran a cracker at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival. The Very Man is back from a break and won a competitive race at Navan last winter.

Tony Martin, trainer of Tudor City
He won it a few years ago and ran very well in this last year, he wasn’t beaten too far. He seems in good form at home.

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

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

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

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