Emmpat Galway Bid A Going Concern

Emmpat's participation in the Guinness Galway Hurdle will be determined by ground conditions following his below-par effort at Tipperary on Sunday.

The Scottish Champion Hurdle winner was pulled up in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle, won by Essex.

Trainer Charlie Swan has dismissed the performance due to the heavy ground and says any decision on whether he runs at Galway will be solely influenced by the going.

'I had him in the John Smith's Cup (at York) but the ground went against him there as well,' said Swan.

'But he was ready to run on Sunday so I just said to David (Casey) as soon as you start to feel him tire, pull him up ? which is what he did.

'It would have to be very good (ground) for him to run in the Galway Hurdle.

'I haven't got any other major plans for him, he might go for a couple of Flat races, wherever the ground is really.

'He might even go for a beginners chase ? with his turn of foot he could be useful over fences.'

Swann could also run Cloone Rocket in the Galway Hurdle, despite the five-year-old having only had two runs over hurdles ? the last of which saw him finish runner-up at Killarney last week.

'Cloone Rocket ran well last week but I think the winner just got a bit of a freebie in front,' added Swan.

'He's lightly raced, he's only had two runs over hurdles and he'll come on for the experience.

'He's only 1lb out of the handicap so if he gets in, he might run a big race.'

Emmpat is as low as 12-1 with VC Bet, while Cloone Rocket is readily available at 25-1 for the August 2 contest.

(C) PA Sport