The odds about Ansar completing an unprecedented three-in-a-row in next week's William Hill Galway Plate continue to tumble but plans appear to be less clear-cut for the Plate's other joint-topweight, Euro Leader.
Last year's Kerry National hero also holds an entry in the Guinness Galway Hurdle and yesterday Euro Leader was also one of 48 horses left in the opening day feature, the GPT Handicap, at the latest forfeit stage.
Trainer Willie Mullins is in no rush to formalise plans for his versatile star who last appeared in the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil when finishing fifth. The continuing warm weather conditions, however, could be a factor in what Euro Leader eventually does.
"I want to see what the weather will do. We would appreciate a break for him," Mullins said yesterday. "We will make the entries, talk to the owners and decide closer to the time. Prize-money wise, the Plate would be the number one option but we will have to see."
The going at Galway is "good to firm" currently on all courses with some firm patches on the steeplechase track. Watering continues and some showers are forecast for over the weekend.
Mullins also has the third highest rated entry for the Plate, the Roscommon hurdles winner Davenport Democrat, and also the former hunter chaser Bothar Na.
However, yesterday's ante-post betting activity centred on Ansar who is now as low as 5 to 1 favourite for Wednesday with the big race sponsors. Victory could possibly instigate a memorable Plate-Hurdle clean sweep for Dermot Weld.
The legendary Galway trainer has already stated that Kinger Rocks is not a certain starter in Thursday's featured hurdle but the mare continues to head the betting in that race and William Hill go 28 to 1 about Weld bringing off the double.
"With Dermot's record around Galway, we would expect that 28 to 1 about the Plate and the Hurdle to be popular with punters," said the firm's spokesman Tony Kenny yesterday.
Weld has left in three entries for Monday's seven furlong two-year-old maiden at Galway, a race the trainer has dominated in the past. The Dr Ronan Lambe-owned trio include Blue Coral and Fleeting Shadow who both finished runner-up at the Curragh on their respective debuts. Aidan O'Brien has left five in the race including last Sunday's Tipperary runner-up Naigani, a brother to the French Guineas second Marcus Andronicus, and Abide With Me who finished last on his debut in the Group Three Anglesey Stakes.
Kieren Fallon will be at Limerick this evening for three rides despite the scheduled High Court appeal in London today which will determine if his attempt to overturn a Horseracing Regulatory Authority ban on him riding in the UK is successful.
Fallon will be on board Lady Elise for Aidan O'Brien in the mile handicap and this daughter of the classic placed Toroca will be fancied to add to a head success at Tipperary at the weekend despite a 5lb penalty. However, a value option against her could be Kleinova who has been runner-up at the Curragh in her last two starts.
Fallon is on Courtwood in the opening fillies maiden but preference in this is for Pat Shanahan's mount Silica Shine who was beaten just over four lengths by the classic prospect Alexander Tango at the Curragh over the Oaks weekend.
Wide As Thunder missed out on a good chance at Ballinrobe on Tuesday when the meeting was abandoned but could have quick compensation in the amateur handicap hurdle.
BETTING: (William Hill): Galway Plate: 5 Ansar, 8 Far From Trouble, 10 Ursumman, 12 Euro Leader and Coast To Coast, 14 Ball O Malt and Banasan, 16 Bar.
