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GALWAY ON SUNDAY

I’m not entirely sure what will line up as a few of these have already run and, at the time of writing, could run before Sunday too, but I’m going to give HEARTS ARE TRUMPS   a good shout (13:50). He’s having his first run of the week, so will be much fresher than most. He's tumbled in the weights from his prime, so it was no surprise that he won well at Ballinrobe last time. He was second in the Galway Hurdle a few years back and is a course-and-distance winner, so he’ll act around the track and still looks feasibly treated.

WE'LLHAVEWAN   ran here earlier in the week, finishing sixth in a similar race (14:20). Patrick Mullins rode him that day and I’d say he’d like another go at it. They ended up further back than ideal and made a mistake, which stopped him from finishing a touch closer. Paul Townend takes over now, and I’d say he shaped like a well handicapped horse in the week and they’ll make amends for that defeat.

Sometimes, the obvious is the obvious for a reason, so I can’t get away from CURRENT OPTION  , who is going for a four-timer in this race, having won the last three runnings (16:00). He’s often warmed up in the Mile race that takes place earlier in the week and did so again this year, catching the eye. Amazingly, he’s running off his lowest mark, which makes him a really attractive proposition.

GALWAY ON SATURDAY

The 14:30 is clouded by the declaration of Icare Allen, who was a good fourth in the Galway Hurdle earlier this week, but there are two that I think could give bold showings. The top horse FINEST EVERMORE   is clearly rather fragile, but usually that means they’re very ready to go when they do make it to the track. She’s always appeared to have plenty of promise, too.

The other to note is AMBITIOUS FELLOW  , who won’t mind if the heavens open and conditions become more testing. He’s clearly been targeted at this and is only 3lb up from 12 months ago, when he was brought down in this race. I’d say his run at Cork was eye-catching enough and would have blown the cobwebs away. The stable have had a couple of winners already this week, so they’re in good form, too.

The draw could be a stumbling block for SPECKLED MEADOW  , who ran really well at Leopardstown last time. She had too much to do but did make up a lot of ground on the straight. Billy Lee takes the ride here and, as long as they drop her in, she’ll have a chance. Although there’s a big field, it’s not the most competitive (16:50).

Granville Street did well to win earlier in the week, but is just 1lb well-in on future ratings, so I’ll side with MON COEUR   (17:25). He’s got a string of twos next to his name, but he’s been running well and his second here earlier in the week was a good showing. He hit the front a shade too soon but will go up 10lb in future handicaps, so striking while the iron is hot is the right thing to do. He won’t mind if the ground turns testing, either.