Does Weld Have The Ansar To The Plate Puzzle Tomorrow marks the beginning of William Hill's sponsorship of the prestigious Galway Plate. The five year agreement covers the entire 8 race card on William Hill Galway Plate Day, including the Grade A ?200,000 Galway Plate and ensures that prize money on the day will be approaching ?2 Million over the five years.A maximum of twenty two horses will go to post for this year's renewal of the William Hill Galway Plate, and there'll surely be o more popular winner of the race than the course specialist Ansar, who'll be looking for his third straight race victory in the great race. Dermot Weld may be the most successful trainer of the modern era with four wins in the Plate, Kiichi (1990), General Idea (1993) and Ansar (2004/5), but he will faces stiff opposition from Champion Irish National Hunt Trainer Noel Meade, and three time winner Eddie O'Grady.Ansar, the current 4-1 with sponsors William Hill, is clearly the result the bookies fear. William Hill spokesman Tony Kenny said a victory for Ansar would be a 'disastrous result for bookmakers'. Hills rate the biggest challenge to Ansar as likely to come from the Christy Roche trained Far From Trouble and last years runner- up Ursumman at 10-1, while Manjoe and Coast to Coast are both available at 12-1.Tony Kenny, William Hills Irish spokesman said 'When we first opened our book we installed Ansar as our 7-1 favourite for our race, but after constant support for the ten year old, he's now best priced at 4-1 for the William Hill Galway Plate' He continued 'To be honest, we wouldn't be too shocked if he went off 3-1 or shorter for the big race tomorrow'** Two horses were balloted out of the race, at the overnight stage Larry Boy and Phelan's Fancy, while three reserves were left in the field, Billy Bonnie, Deep Return and Patton.William Hill Galway Plate: Sponsors prices: 4-1 Ansar, 8-1 Far from Trouble, Ursumman, 12-1 Coast to Coast, Manjoe, 14-1 Ball O Malt, Banasan, Wills Wilde, 16-1 Carlesimo, Dix Villez, Teo Perugo, 20-1 More Rainbows, Mutakarrim, 25-1 Bruto Facie, Light the Broom, 33-1 Augherskea, Bothar Na, Domnul Admiral, Steel Band, 40-1 Always, 50-1 Montayral
