Nicholls chasing Galway spoils

Hoo La Baloo will try to make amends for being brought down in last year’s William Hill Galway Plate when he lines up for the €240,000 handicap chase on July 30.

The seven-year-old will have to defy top weight of 11st 10lb but is a likely runner according to his trainer Paul Nicholls.

“Hoo La Baloo was dreadfully unlucky when brought down in last year’s race, and even though he’s high in the weights now, the track suits him and I think he deserves a second crack at the Plate,” said the Ditcheat-based handler.

Nicholls has also Oumeyade (10st 7lb), and the sponsors 7-1 favourite Oslot (10st 13lb), among a total of 45 entries.

“I’m not too surprised to see Oslot at the top of the sponsors betting, he’s an improving young horse, and I’m hopeful that he’ll run a big race,” Nicholls added.

Ireland’s champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins relies on Emma Jane (9st 10lb) and Irish Invader (9st 4lb) in his quest to win the Galway feature for the first time.

Noel Meade has five possibles – last year’s runner-up Ballyagran (9st 13lb), Dark Artist (10st), Mr Robert (9st 2lb), Irish Nation (9st) and recent Kilbeggan winner Rosaker (9st) – as he seeks to end his Plate drought.

Dermot Weld has captured the race seven times and he could run standing dish Ansar (11st), the winner in 2004 and 2005, runner-up in 2006 and fourth last year. Cool Running (10st 2lb), third 12 months ago, is one of two entries trained by Christy Roche, successful with Grimes in 2001 and Far From Trouble three years ago.

William Hill Galway Plate, sponsors bet: 7-1 Oslot, 10-1 Emma Jane, Oumeyade, 11-1 Emotional Article, Green Mile, 12-1 Ansar, Breaking Silence, Hoo La Baloo, 14-1 Ballyagran, Dom Fontenail, Dosco, French Accordion, Irish Invader, Santa’s Son, 16-1 Cool Running, Oodachee, Ursumman, 20-1 bar.