Gordon Elliott runs six in the Galway Plate and the lightly weighted Hollow Games makes plenty of appeal in the €270,000 showpiece.
The Beat Hollow gelding is still relatively unexposed over fences having spent his novice campaign running over distances shorter than ideal.
He won his maiden hurdle over today’s two-miles-six and was also placed at Grade One level over timber at the trip.
Elliott even stated when he won on his chase debut, over two-miles-one, that he probably wanted further but he was kept at around the minimum trip for the rest of the campaign.
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On his final start at Punchestown in April he ran a solid race to finish fourth to Dinoblue in a competitive contest at the Festival meeting, staying on at the end.
He remains on the same mark of 142 and that looks attractive now that he takes a significant step up in trip again.
The seven-year-old appears to be fairly versatile ground-wise and looks the horse in the field that could have a bit up his sleeve.
Hewick heads the weights as he bids to repeat last year’s success in the summer highlight.
‘Shark’ Hanlon’s charge has been a wonderful servant to connections, taking them to the US for a memorable victory in the American Grand National and also winning a Grade Two at Sandown in April.
Obviously his exploits have seen him rise a good bit in the ratings and with a mark of 167 now he has a welter burden, with a rating 12lb higher than last year.
Willie Mullins saddles five in the race and Paul Townend rides the classy Kilcruit who has to be respected.
The Stowaway gelding looked a potential star in his bumper days and although he hasn’t quite lived up to that he has proven to be a smart horse.
He was very good when winning a handicap chase at Punchestown before making little impression in top level company over hurdles in France the following month.
Despite a 12lb rise for his easy Punchestown win he could still be capable of a big run, particularly if getting an easy lead.
Enniskerry is another interesting one but he has been described as a “two-miler over fences” so the trip would be a concern.
It looks like another cracking renewal of the race and the fact that Hollow Games may have a bit up his sleeve makes him appealing.
Dermot Weld may not be the dominant force he once was at Galway but he still likes to get a winner or two at the venue and Genuine Article looks to have a big shout for him in the opening mile handicap.
The Muhaarar gelding was an eye-catcher on soft ground on his debut at Killarney last October and won on his return at the Kerry course a fortnight ago.
That was on better ground and he just edged left in the closing stages before getting the job done comfortably enough.
An easier surface should suit better now and it looks a good move to claim 7lb off him with promising apprentice Conor Stone-Walsh taking the mount.
It’s hard to look past Irish Derby fifth Up And Under in the following mile-and-a-half amateur maiden and it would be disappointing if the 106-rated performer couldn’t collect.
Mark Fahey has his string in fine form and Thornleigh Frank bids for a hat-trick in the concluding two-mile-six handicap hurdle.
He got a 15lb hike for an easy win at Kilbeggan last time but there could be more to come from the Yeats gelding now that he steps up in trip.
SELECTIONS
5.10 Genuine Article (Dbl)
5.40 Up And Under
6.10 No Thanks
6.40 Hollow Games (Nap)
7.15 Feet Of A Dancer
7.50 High Class Hero
8.20 Thornleigh Frank
