Go for Proud To Be Irish

PROUD To Be Irish can give us a big run in the Guinness Galway Hurdle at Ballybrit this afternoon. He represents a combination, Seamus O’Farrell and his son James, who may not be the most fashionable, but whom you underestimate them at your peril.

Seamus has previously trained the winner of this race, Perugino Diamond six years ago, and James is one of the best amateur riders in the country. The selection first struck one as a live possibility when beating ill-fated Baltimore Hill and Zeroberto in a conditions hurdle at Roscommon in June, finding plenty for pressure in the closing stages.

Proud To Be Irish warmed up for this by finishing fourth on the flat at Killarney and the way he sees out his races, as well as being nicely weighted, plus his pilot’s 5lbs claim, sways me towards him.