Go West for starters

NOEL MEADE’S Jewel Of The West is fancied to give us the ideal start to the Galway Festival by landing the opening GPT Sligo Novice Hurdle at Ballybrit tonight.

A mildly disappointing sort earlier on, the selection has struck form with a vengeance of late and looks the type who will relish the up hill run to the straight.

He got off the mark at Punchestown at the end of May, emerging best at the end of a three-way tussle with The God Of Love and Kevkat. Jewel Of The West then went to Bellewstown and was impressive in beating Auenschutze (rec. 7lbs) by an easy five and a half lengths.