Band Of Outlaws can become the first four-year-old since Perugino Diamond in 2000 to win the €300,000 Guinness Galway Hurdle.
Owner JP McManus had to wait until 2014 to win a first Galway Hurdle, achieved with the Tony Martin-trained Thomas Edison.
And he was on the mark again two years later, when Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Band Of Outlaws, saddled Tigris River to land the spoils for him.
Now, the O’Brien-trained four-year-olds Band Of Outlaws (which carried the McManus silks for the girts time at Tipperary last time) and Gardens of Babylon, plus Dessie McDonogh’s outsider Hearts Are Trumps carry the hopes of the green and gold.
And Band Of Outlaws ticks a lot of boxes, a solid flat handicapper, boasting a record of three wins from six outings over hurdles, including the Boodles, a competitive four-year-old handicap, at the Cheltenham festival.
Admittedly, he flopped in a Grade 1 at Aintree, when clearly struggling early – a combination of a tough season and unsuitable ground might have contrived against him.
But, freshened up by a break, he ran a perfect Hurdle trial when runner-up to Thomas Hobson in the Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary recently.
With regular partner JJ Slevin on board, I expect Band to travel well and be produced going to the final flight for victory.
Top-weight Sole Pretender, carrying the hopes of local trainer Norman Lee, faces a severe test, but cannot be discounted.
Up a total of 31lb. for three wins since April, including 10lb. for his most recent success in Ballinrobe, this fellow has a progressive profile, races prominently and is a very fluent jumper.
He undoubtedly faces a stiff task as he bids to emulate Lesabelle, I’m Confident, Natalies Fancy and No Tag, winners of the race, trained in County Galway. But he looks sure to run a huge race.
Willie Mullins, seeking a fourth win in the race, will saddle four of the 20 runners, with stable-jockey Paul Townend set to partner Shanning, a winner at Killarney two weeks ago, but proven over further than two miles.
Riven Light, winner of the COLM QUINN BMW Mile twice here, will have his first run over hurdles for more than two years ad although he hasn’t always looked a natural hurdler, he’s undoubtedly a class act.
Conor McNamara will clam a valuable 7lb. off Stratum, unplaced in the Northumberland Plate last time but fourth to Mr Adjudicator at Punchestown and winner of a conditions event at Ballinrobe. Another for the short-list.
Tony Martin also knows what it takes to win the Hurdle having scored with Quick Jack and Thomas Edison. So his two representatives, Tudor City and Golden Spear, both course winners on the flat, shouldn’t be dismissed from calculations.
The Hurdle has eluded Gordon Elliott, although he has saddled the runner-up three times. And Grade 2 novice winner Chosen Mate, the mount of Davy Russell (who has won the race twice) looks his main hope.
Another one worthy of note is the John Joe Walsh-trained Davids Charm, unlucky last year and helped by any rain that might arrive.
Peter O’Hehir
2.00.Early Doors
2.35.Robin De Carlow
3.10.Wentwood
3.45.Surrounding
4.20.Doctor Duffy (Nap)
4.55.Band Of Outlaws
5.30.Lusis Naturea
5.59.All Those Years
Next Best
2.00.Dandy Mag
2.35.Wicklow Brave
3.10.Master Speaker
3.45.Fire Fly
4.20.Foveros
4.55.Sole Pretender
5.30.Champagne Terri
5.59.Ballylig
Double: Robin De Carlow and Doctor Duffy.
O’Hehir’s Longshot: Happy Company (5.30.)
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