Galway Plate on August 2nd

The maxim 'horses for courses' is one which is exemplified by Ansar, who has won seven times at Galway under both codes, and is a best-priced 7/1 to capture the William Galway Plate for the third year in a row on August 2. The lightly-raced ten-year-old is 13lb higher compared to when prevailing in last year's renewal, but his trainer Dermot Weld is a pastmaster at coaxing that bit extra out of his horses, and he has certainly demonstrated his abundant ability as a trainer with this gelding. Ansar became the first horse since Knight Errant in the 1950s to complete a Plate and Hurdle double when winning the penultimate running of this race, and he is likely to be cherry-rip for this bid to complete a famous hat-trick following an eyecatching effort when finishing third to Zeroberto in the Waterford Crystal Handicap on the level at The Curragh on July 2. Ursumman, who was beaten seven lengths into second behind Ansar in this race last year, is a top-priced 10/1 to go one better this time, the same price as the JP McManus-owned Far From Trouble, who was going as well as anything when falling six fences from home in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in April. Euro Leader, who was not disgraced in a valuable staying hurdle in France last month, had previously scored in a competitive handicap chase at Punchestown before getting his head in front on the Flat at Leopardstown a month later, demonstrating his versatility. Willie Mullins' charge is available at 12/1 to add the Galway Plate to his trophy cabinet. Next best in the market, about whom bet365 and Paddy Power are most generous in offering odds of 14/1, is Coast To Coast, who failed to make an impact in his last two starts over fences in Graded novice chases, but has shaped very well in two starts over timber subsequently and has been well supported in the ante-post betting for this race. Also at 14/1, and not without support, is Manjoe, who is trained by the up and coming Tipperary-based handler David Wachman. The eight-year-old, who was beaten just a length and a half when third to Ansar in this race in 2004, comes into this race on the back of a facile victory on firm going at Navan on June 16, and if similar conditions prevail on August 2 he will be a danger to all. Best of the likely English-trained raiders according to the betting is Richard Fahey's Ball O Malt, who can be backed at 16/1 with bet365, Paddy Power and VC Bet. The consistent son of Star Quest beat Bohemian Spirit in the Renault Vans Galway Plate Trial Handicap Chase at Perth last time out and should give a good account of himself.