Tote Galway Plate: get the inside track from connections

Cian Collins believes Harry Cobden will suit dual Cheltenham Festival winner Jazzy Matty down to the ground in Wednesday’s Tote Galway Plate.

The versatile six-year-old won the Fred Winter for Gordon Elliott before changing hands for €50,000 in February 2024, winning minor races at Wexford and Sligo for new connections before landing the Grand Annual back at Cheltenham in March.

He arrives fresh having had a break since Punchestown and with regular riders Jordan Gainford and Danny Gilligan required by Elliott, Cobden steps in.

“We’ve given him a break since Punchestown, he’s in good form and we’re looking forward to running him,” said Collins.

“He’s versatile, he runs over hurdles and fences, he gets this trip (two miles and six furlongs) and it looks like he should get his favoured good ground, which is a help.

“When I knew that Danny and Jordan weren’t going to be available, his regular jockeys, I just thought Harry Cobden would suit him as he’s a good horseman with plenty of experience in those big handicaps.

“He’s a horse who thrives in big fields, they suit him. I do think he’s a better horse at Cheltenham than anywhere else, mind. Hopefully Galway is a little bit similar with it’s undulations and always on the turn with a stiff finish.

“We’re going there hopeful, he’s in good form so if he runs his race, I think he’ll be bang there.”

Gilligan rides Western Fold, with Gainford on Shecouldbeanything. Elliott’s other runners are Three Card Brag, Zanahiyr, Down Memory Lane, Chemical Energy and Duffle Coat.

Joseph O’Brien’s Nurburgring won the Galway Hurdle 12 months ago and will aim to emulate Dermot Weld’s Ansar by winning both feature races, while Noel Meade’s Jesse Evans, twice runner-up in the Hurdle, aims to go one better in the Plate.