Explosive Cheltenham winner Puturhandstogether out to boost an emerging Galway Hurdle trend - but is this British raider a danger?

There is a trend developing in the Galway Hurdle. Gone are the days when seasoned campaigners held the upper hand, and would you believe it is actually inexperience that is in vogue these days. The younger you are and the less the handicapper knows about you, the better. 

The last two winners have been four-year-olds – Nurburgring (2024) and Zarak The Brave (2023) – and we have a hot favourite of the same age this year in the shape of Puturhandstogether. 

The JP McManus-owned youngster was an explosive winner of the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival in March, bursting clear after the last to turn a wide-open handicap into a procession. He won by six lengths off a mark of 130 and has an 11lb higher mark to deal with here. That doesn't seem too harsh at all. 

Although a beaten favourite at Aintree's Grand National meeting, that was in the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle, and Joseph O'Brien gave him a prep at Tipperary 28 days away to get rid of the cobwebs. A mistake at the last there exaggerated the margin of defeat, and he is a very worthy favourite for a trainer who has won the race twice before. 

Puturhandstogether clears the last in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Patrick McCann

O'Brien has Mr Percy, too. He was a classy enough novice hurdler last season, winning a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse in April, and looked in rude health when winning a staying handicap on the Flat at the Curragh last month. He's as short as 14-1 with some firms for the Ebor at York in a few weeks and this is the first leg of an audacious double attempt. 

The Galway Hurdle continues to elude Gordon Elliott, who has trained the runner-up in 2024, 2014, 2013 and 2012. He launches a four-pronged attack on the race this time, spearheaded by last year's runner-up Ndaawi. 

He is 11lb higher this time around, but an easy 2025, which has seen him only appear once when second in the County Hurdle, could play to his advantage. It seems as though going one better in the Galway Hurdle has been his ultimate aim and he looks sure to give his running. He's a cracking each-way play at around 8-1. 

Willie Mullins is chasing a record-extending seventh win in the race following the victories of Mystical City (1996), Clondaw Warrior (2016), Sharjah (2018), Aramon (2020), Saldier (2021) and Zarak The Brave (2023). 

Paul Townend has surprisingly opted for Jalila Moriviere, snubbing the eccentric Gaucher, who has loads of ability but a tendency to jump dramatically to his left. If he does happen to get loose on the lead around here, he is dangerous. 

The older Enniskerry is getting, the better he is becoming. The Grimes Hurdle is a traditional trial for this and he only gave best to Jesse Evans inside the final 100 yards after touching an in-running low of 1.37 on Betfair. His mark of 145 remains 5lb lower than his chase one and Barry Connell has been making all the right noises about him in the lead-up to the race.

Dysart Enos: could she be a rare British-trained winner?Credit: Alan Crowhurst

The Galway Hurdle hasn't gone for export since the hugely popular Overturn made all under a vintage Graham Lee ride in 2010, but Fergal O'Brien is making the trip with the speedy Dysart Enos. 

Given she won her first six starts and was unbeaten over hurdles going into last season, that campaign proved a bitter disappointment as she was 0-4 at the end of it. That said, she ran a cracker in the Greatwood Hurdle behind Burdett Road and a close-up fourth in the Scottish Champion Hurdle is rock-solid form. 

She has yet to post an Racing Post Rating higher than her current mark of 137 so needs a career best here. It's entirely possible, though, and she will get the generous early gallop she craves. 

The last winning favourite of the Galway Hurdle was Clondaw Warrior at 9-2 in 2016, and Mullins, Joseph O'Brien and Tony Martin have shared the ten runnings of the race between them. Nobody else has got in on the act.

What they say

Barry Connell, trainer of Enniskerry
His win in the Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary was probably his best run, which is hard to believe as an 11-year-old. The Galway Hurdle is very good prize-money and I think he'll be in the frame. I think he has the attributes for a Galway Hurdle as he's a very strong traveller and jumps great. We decided to go back over hurdles last year and he's been moving up the ranks, while the run last time shows he's not going backwards at all.

Andy Slattery, trainer of Sunchart and Royal Hollow
Sunchart has gone up a lot in the weights for his Tipperary run, but he's a talented horse and is in good nick. I just wonder whether he might be a bit better going left-handed, though. I think Royal Hollow has a squeak. She missed the break on Monday night and got stopped a load of times in her run. If things go well for her in the early part of the race, I'm telling you she won't be far away.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Mr Percy and Puturhandstogether
Puturhandstogether is in good shape and has prepared well for the race since Tipperary so we're hoping for a good run from him. Mr Percy will need the ground to keep drying out, but he looks a legitimate contender if it does.

Joseph O'Brien: trainer of big Galway Hurdle hopes Puturhandstogether and Mr PercyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Dysart Enos
She didn't have much of a last season for one thing and another – she ran well in the Greatwood and Scottish Champion Hurdle, but in between there wasn't a lot happening. We thought we'd keep her going and she had a run on the Flat when she ran okay and gave Johnny [Burke] a lovely feel. There's probably one or two better handicapped horses in there, but she's in great form. It's probably the best we've had her since before the Greatwood.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Downmexicoway
We knew that wasn't him at Punchestown and he was found to have an atrial fibrillation afterwards. You can put a line through that run. He looked like a nice horse when he won at Down Royal over Christmas and I don't think you have seen the best of him yet.

Harry Rogers, trainer of Lord Erskine
He's very well and has been all year. He won well on the Flat at Killarney and Ronan [Whelan] did a great job on him that night. If the ground is on the slow side it will suit him here. The slower the ground, the better his chance.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Addragoole
It won't be easy for him and he'll need a career best to feature, but he's got a nice low weight and I hope he can run well.

Thursday's Raceday Intel:

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2.30 Goodwood: Merchant a hot favourite for Gordon Stakes - but here's why his price is based on potential and better value may rest elsewhere 

3.05 Goodwood: 'Hopefully the best is to come' - can Andrew Balding and See The Fire hold off the Ballydoyle charge in Nassau Stakes? 

The first two Group 1 favourites have been beaten at Glorious Goodwood - can Whirl change the narrative? 

Cheat sheet: rain could impact day three going - plus all the key quotes, tips and analysis you need for Thursday at Glorious Goodwood  

'Ndaawi is our number one' - is 2025 the year when Gordon Elliott finally wins the Galway Hurdle? 

2.10 Galway: 'Classy' Pied Piper out to extend his unbeaten record over fences in Grade 3 novice chase 

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