Clarach pictured winning at Tramore in June© Photo Healy Racing
Tony Mullins has a contingency plan just in case Clarach does not make the cut for the Guinness Galway Hurdle.
The valuable handicap on Thursday, August 2nd has been the long-term objective for the seven-year-old mare for some time.
But on studying the entries with weights, Mullins has discovered Clarach is not guaranteed a place in the maximum 20-strong field.
As a result, Mullins will take the precaution of entering the recent Limerick winner in a two-mile amateur handicap on the Flat on the Monday (July 30th) at the Ballybrit track.
"We've been aiming at the Galway Hurdle all year. There's also the two-mile amateur handicap on the Flat on the Monday and after seeing the entries she's not yet certain to get in the hurdle," said the Gowran trainer.
"She needs about seven to come out, so if there is a danger of her being balloted out of the Galway Hurdle we might have to divert to the Flat race.
"There's a good chance she'll get in, though, as there's a good few horses that possibly might not make it there.
"The priority is the Galway Hurdle and a few horses have won both the amateur handicap and the Galway Hurdle and a lot have run in both.
"Tom's (Mullins, brother) horse (Fosters Cross) won the amateur race on the Monday and was second in the Galway Hurdle last year, so it wouldn't be the first time it has happened.
"The priority entry is the Galway Hurdle and if we are sure of getting in there I would imagine we'd go straight for it."
Clarach has been given 10st 4lb in the €156,000 event with the weights headed on 11st 10lb by The Real Article.
Last year's winner Moon Dice comes next on 11st 6lb with Captain Cee Bee on 11st 5lb and Sailors Warn on 11st 4lb.
Fosters Cross has 11st while Dirar, third in the last two renewals, is on 10st 12lb.
Among the British possibles are the Steve Gollings-trained Local Hero, Donald McCain's Lexi's Boy, Kevin Ryan's Unknown Rebel and Idarah from the Venetia Williams stable.
Paddy Power bet: 8 Lexi's Boy, 11 Carlingford Lough, Sailors Warn, 12 Blazing Tempo, Dirar, Whatever Jacksays, 14 Captain Cee Bee, Clarach, Drive Time Local Hero, Moon Dice, Plan A, Rebel Fitz, 16 Fosters Cross, Lucky Spring, Mister Benedictine, Rattan, Sweet My Lord, The Real Article, The Way We Were, Whatuthink, 20 bar.
