Galway Festival tips: Classy Belfast Banter can shrug off rise in weights

Belfast Banter has won at Cheltenham and Aintree this year and can add to his account at the Galway Races

Belfast Banter after winning for jockey Kevin Sexton at Aintree last April. Picture: Healy Racing

Although facing a stiff task at the weights against some of his County Hurdle victims, Belfast Banter still looks the horse to beat in today’s €250,000 Guinness Galway Hurdle.

Beaten at this festival last year before winning his maiden hurdle over course and distance in October, Peter Fahey’s six-year-old made giant strides in the spring and, off a career-high mark of 144, might arrive late on the scene to lift the €147.500 winner’s prize.