Three Kingdoms can put on regal show in Galway Plate

AS we look forward to the twin features of the Galway Racing Festival, now in its 148th year, the work done by Racecourse Management, Horse Racing Ireland and sponsors Tote.com and Guinness has been richly rewarded with a high class entry for both contests.

The Tote.com Galway Plate has an initial 47 strong entry with the top 22 guaranteed a run, and covered by just 19 pounds in the handicap. Two previous winners Lord Scoundrel (2016) and Road To Riches (2014) are entered and are both set to carry 11st 6lbs along with last year’s runner up Allelchi Inois and the impressive Down Royal Plate Trial winner Sandymount Duke.

Last year’s third Ballycasey shoulders top weight of 11st 10lbs following his game win from another entry the Cheltenham Grand Annual Chase winner Rock The World, but this year’s mark is a full 15 pounds higher and of the first three home last year, Allelchi Inois comes out best but he has been totally out of form in his last four outings.

Sandymount Duke has been really progressive since finding his feet over the larger obstacles with his defeats of Valyssa Monterg and Hidden Cyclone both reading well and he showed his well being by hosing up in an Amateur Flat Maiden at Leopardstown recently. This previous course winner of a novice hurdle will love the good ground and he is sure to be involved in the finish.

Shaneshill (11-3) from the Willie Mullins camp was last seen finishing third to L’Ami Serge in the French Champion Hurdle and has some very good form in the book, mostly with an ease, but he did finish second in the Champion Bumper to Silver Concorde on good ground before gaining his revenge at Punchestown.

Twice in the past Shanpallas (10-5) has endured horrible bad luck in this contest – carried out when well backed in 2014 and hampered when making progress between the final two fences in 2015. His effort behind Polar Present at Gowran Park in June caught my eye and the trip of two miles six furlongs in just about right for the Charles Byrnes trained runner which also was an unlucky second behind Prince Rudi over hurdles on the Saturday of the 2014 festival. He deserves a change of luck and with the renowned “patience” of his connections, he could be the plunge horse on the day.to Silver Concorde on good ground before gaining his revenge at Punchestown.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.