Andrew Nelis racing

Willie Mullins has a strong hand as he bids to claim the  Guinness Galway Hurdle  for a fourth time. After first landing the prestigious handicap with Mystical City in 1996, the Closutton handler had to wait another 20 years to double his tally with Clondaw Warrior – before the top-class Sharjah provided him with a third victory in 2018. The champion trainer’s son Patrick was aboard Sharjah, and on Thursday takes the ride aboard top-weight  Aramon  – who chased home stable companion Saint Roi in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival in March, before making an impressive return from a break to win the Grade Three Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary last month..

It was business as usual for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend at Tipperary, as just two days into the resumption of jumps racing Aramon showed a smart turn of foot to win the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle. The champion trainer and jockey teamed up to great effect in the Grade Three, with the former top-class novice shrugging off top-weight to stamp his class on matters. The race had looked a good opportunity for Henry de Bromhead's Petit Mouchoir to get back to winning ways, but the 11-10 favourite had no answer to Aramon's finishing kick, as Townend moved stylishly into contention and flew the last.                   Andrew Nelis Racing