Grai on course for Galway double

PAUL Nolan reports Cuan Na Grai to be in fine shape as the 2006 Galway Hurdle winner bids to emulate Ansar and also land the big handicap chase at the meeting, the www.thetote.com Galway Plate.

Ansar was trained by Dermot Weld to make history at the Ballybrit course by taking the Plate in 2004 and 2005 after success in the Hurdle in 2001.

While Nolan expects Cuan Na Grai to put up a bold show, he is concerned the race might come too soon as the nine-year-old was in action on Sunday when second to 2009 Galway Hurdle scorer Bahrain Storm at Tipperary.

“He’s in good form and he’s come out of his race grand,” said the County Wexford trainer.

“It might come a little bit soon, but we’re hoping he’ll be OK and hopefully he’ll run well.

“He likes Galway, I don’t think the trip will inconvenience him and we’d like to think he’d give the owners a good run for their money.”

*RYAN MOORE picked up a two day ban for careless riding when winning on the Alan King-trained Kings Troop at Epsom last night. The ban will cover Thursday August 5 - Friday August 6.