Deutschland set for big run off bottom weight in Galway Hurdle
A proven mud-lark, at the peak of his powers right now, he has to be fancied to produce a big effort off bottom weight of 10-5.
His eighth placing at Leopardstown in the Pierse Hurdle in January was a decent effort and he runs off the same mark now.
Willie Mullins has protected his rating since then, with Deutschland displaying his talents over fences and on the flat.
There is much evidence to indicate he may well be a much improved sort. He scored over fences at Punchestown, as a prelude to two successes on the level.
The six-year-old won by three parts of a length at Navan and then defied an 11lbs rise to bolt in at Dundalk by five lengths.
Another who is in terrific shape right now, No One Tells Me, can land the Arthur’s Legacy Handicap.
She won over flights, confined to four-year-olds, at the Punchestown Festival and then came back in style here on Monday night to easily take a handicap hurdle.
The Signature Novice Hurdle may be best left to Charlie Swan’s Glenstal Abbey, even if he hasn’t been seen for 70 days.
He returned from a much longer break at Clonmel in May, however, and certainly showed no ill-effects.
Going off a well-backed favourite, Glenstal Abbey won unextended by five and a half lengths, revelling in the heavy ground.
The trip, in the St James’ Gate Novice Chase, is well short of Montero’s best, but he is a tough, resolute sort, who may prove the safest option.
