Michael Halford can complete a notable hat-trick at the start of Galway's three-day September meeting today.

The Curragh trainer is enjoying a best-ever season and will fancy his chances of landing the mile and a half handicap for the third year in succession with Berengarius.

Fearsome Factor last year and Chanoud in 1999 proved Halford has his finger on the pulse of this race, and the versatile Berengarius proved his form with a neck second to Buzz Two at Tralee.

That Ballybrit specialist, Gamekeeper, returns to his favourite track for the maiden hurdle, and the Galway element can see Pat Hughes's dual-purpose performer come out on top.

The double GPT winner seems a different animal when confronted with this course's unique demands and Gamekeeper can confirm that with a defeat of Hartigan.

Frances Crowley reintroduces Lodge Hill after an eight-month break in the beginners' chase and the former smart hurdler should go close; and Crowley also looks to have a reasonable chance in the three-mile handicap hurdle with Newlands.

Wayne Lordan and the 88-rated Oriental Ben look the answer to the apprentice maiden; and the Weld factor should make the Gulch filly, Modern Goddess, worth looking at in the last.

Alec Stewart said yesterday that Mutamam had returned home in good shape following Saturday's repeat success in Kempton's September Stakes.

"He's come out of the race really well," said the trainer speaking from his Newmarket base. "It's our intention now to run in the Canadian International at Woodbine and then take it from there.

"I always prefer to take one race at a time."