Sparky Gayle was yesterday confirmed on course to carry top weight in next Wednesday's Compaq Galway Plate.

A total of 36 horses remain in the mid-summer feature but with a limit of 22 for the race, eliminations are likely. That will be of no concern to the connections of Sparky Gayle who will travel to Ireland from Colin Parker's Lockerbie base in Scotland on Monday.

A stable spokesperson said yesterday: "He is an intended runner and Brian Storey will ride. It will be our first time in Galway and although he is topweight, you have to take a chance. Sparky Gayle will travel from Stranraer to Belfast first thing on Monday morning."

Top of the handicap in the Thursday feature, the Guinness Galway Hurdle, will be Theatreworld. Three times runner-up in the Champion Hurdle, Theatreworld will be lumbered with 12.7.

"At the moment Theatreworld needs a run. After Galway we are thinking of the Ebor at York where he has 9st," O'Brien said.