Cask Mate primed for day one feature in Ballybrit Noel Meade is optimistic that Cask Mate will put his best foot forward in the feature on day one of the Galway Festival. Cask Mate won twice over hurdles as a novice and was second to Ballyadam in the 2020 Grade One Royal Bond. His sole win since came on the Flat at Bellewstown last autumn. He was beaten just over four lengths into seventh in the Ladies' Derby at the Curragh this month. Meade said: “Cask Mate runs in the amateur race (Connacht Hotel (QR) Handicap) and Pat Taaffe rides him. “He had a good run at the Curragh the other day. I was very happy with him and he seems to be a better horse on the Flat than he is over jumps.” The trainer also gave an update on potential runners in the Galway Hurdle and Galway Plate. “Jesse Evans runs in the Hurdle and Bryan Cooper rides him. He was fourth in the Hurdle last year and he had a good run in Killarney (beaten a head into second). He’s come out of it very well and is in good form. You’d be hopeful. “Daly Tiger will probably run in the Plate. “Good ground would suit all of them and we have fighting chances." Daly Tiger is returning from a break after falling in a Grade 3 chase at Cork in April. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
