Fitz tops weights for Galway Plate
A very high-class performer over timber, winning last year’s Galway Hurdle, Rebel Fitz was beaten at long odds-on when switched to fences at Killarney but returned to the same venue to score easily last week.
Among the huge field for the valuable two-and-three-quarter-mile handicap chase are defending champion Bob Lingo, Hidden Cyclone and the fearsome hunter chaser Mossey Joe, who was extremely impressive in the recent championship event at Stratford.
Paul Nicholls, who won the 2008 renewal with Oslot, could send Prospect Wells across, while other British entries are The Disengager, Bobowen, Quincy Des Pictons, Shoegazer, Kian’s Delight and Paddy The Hare.
Dermot Weld, the master trainer at Ballybrit, could again field Majestic Concorde.
So Young leads a formidable Willie Mullins challenge for the Guinness Galway Hurdle on August 1.
The seven-year-old has struggled at championship level but has always fared well in lesser events, meaning he would have to carry top weight of 11st 12lb if he were to take part.
Ireland’s dominant trainer can also call upon the likes of Drive Time, Midnight Game, Make Your Mark, Rattan, Sweet My Lord, Moon Dice, Pique Sous and Midnight Oil.
There are plenty of fascinating other entries for the valuable prize, with Weld’s Rock Critic unbeaten in two hurdling starts, Tony Martin’s Ted Veale already a Cheltenham Festival winner, and John Ferguson’s smart ex-Flat recruit Sea Lord leading a good British challenge.
