Rapidly improving Galway Plate winner back in action - but Gordon Elliott voices concerns ahead of four-timer bid

The next chapter in the Western Fold success story sees him go from handicaps into Grade 2 company as the Galway Plate winner bids to give Gordon Elliott his first win in the race since A Toi Phil in 2017. 

Western Fold only reached a rating of 132 in seven starts over hurdles, but he has turned inside out since going chasing and followed up an emphatic win in the Mayo National at Ballinrobe off 138 with a similarly decisive success in the Galway Plate off 10lb higher. He is now rated 157 and handicaps would appear to be a thing of the past. 

The big worry for Western Fold is the ground. Storm Amy has brought with it plenty of rain and, while the six-year-old won his maiden hurdle at this venue on officially heavy ground, all his best form is on a sound surface. 

Western Fold and Danny Gilligan winning the Galway PlateCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

In contrast, Blood Destiny put up his standout performance over fences on heavy ground. He beat subsequent Grade 1 winner Spillane's Tower in a Grade 3 at Navan on bottomless ground last year and will have no issue with conditions. 

Blood Destiny can, however, finish his races quite tamely. He has been beaten when hitting in-running lows of 1.06, 1.31, 1.56, 1.57 and 1.86 on Betfair and he doesn't always find as much as expected when push comes to shove. 

It will be up to his rivals to try to turn this into a proper battle and not allow him a freebie in front. 

The most interesting runner is surely Affordale Fury. We have had only fleeting glimpses of the imposing gelding but most of what we have seen has been impressive. 

The 2023 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle runner-up, who chased home Gaelic Warrior in a Grade 1 at Punchestown afterwards, has run only three times in two years. His record fresh is really good, though, and it is interesting that Noel Meade has wasted little time in getting him out this season. 

Meade won this Grade 2 in 2019 with Snow Falcon and holds Affordale Fury in the highest regard. The seven-year-old won first time out in 2022 and 2023 and would have defied a 438-day absence to win on his return last season had he not made a complete mess of the final fence. Despite that narrow defeat to Sa Majeste, he still registered a Racing Post Rating of 146. He is a huge player here. 

There have been few shocks in this Grade 2 in recent years. The biggest-priced winner in the past decade was Cailin Annamh at 9-1 in 2015. 

Willie Mullins has won four of the last five runnings, two of them with odds-on shots.

Ground concern for Elliott

Gordon Elliott has ground concerns for his rapidly improving chaser Western Fold. 

The exciting six-year-old has gone up 23lb in his last three starts over fences, which is hardly surprising considering two of those were clear-cut victories in the Mayo National and Galway Plate. 

The next rung up the ladder sees him tackle a Grade 2 against more experienced chasers and Elliott is worried about the effects of Storm Amy.

Gordon Elliott: trainer of Western FoldCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The trainer said: "Western Fold is in great form and has done nothing but improve since we sent him over fences. He really impressed me with the way he won the Galway Plate. He jumped great and you have to love the way he hits the line in his races. 

"The ground worries me for him, though. I wouldn't like to see much more rain falling for him. The better the ground, the better the chance he has."

What they say

Jack Foley, trainer of Monbeg Park
He didn't get into any sort of rhythm in the Kerry National. The bigger track at Gowran and the smaller field should allow him to get into his comfort zone better. He seems in good form at home.

Pat Foley, trainer of Rebel Gold
I'm happy with him. The distance is a bit further than we'd want for him, but there are no races that suit him over shorter. I don't want him carrying top weight in a handicap at this stage of the season. We're looking forward to getting him started back and I think the small field will suit him.

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