Eoin Griffin's Galway chances headed by Ol Man Dingle: 'I'm delighted with the team I am bringing'

The Eoin Griffin-trained Ol Man Dingle is set to take his place in next week's Galway Festival in the prestigious Galway Plate and trainer Eoin Griffin feels his horse is in "great form".

He was a revelation in the early part of last season with success over Topham Chase winner Will The Wise before moving on to Grade 3 victory at Cork. He was highly tried then in the Grade 2 Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse and, for syndicate Dunglen Racing, a Cheltenham Festival runner was a dream scenario.

They are hoping the return to Ballybrit will help their star over the line in a race that has been the plan for quite some time.

Ol Man Dingle in good order ahead of Plate

Speaking to Niall Tierney of IrishRacing.com, Griffin said: "He's in good order and we're happy with him. It looks like the ground will be in our favour. We knew we were putting him into the deep end in the Drinmore.

"In Cheltenham we were slightly disappointed, there's no two ways about it, but although they were novice handicaps, it was still a handicap race and maybe he just needed the time to get used to the big runner fields.

"He showed big improvement in the Mayo National and it was great to get his head in front again in Kilbeggan. For the owners, Dunglen Racing Syndicate, it is brilliant. It was their first horse with me and he hasn't let them down at all. It's all been bonus territory.

"It's a race we'd all love to win and I can assure you if we win they'll enjoy it.

Delighted with rest of the team

"I have about four or five runners next week and I'm looking forward to them. I have a four-year-old filly in the bumper next Monday and she's doing everything well at home and I hope she'll run respectably. We'll have Splashing Out running on Wednesday.

"It's so difficult to win in Galway and if we can have one it would be great, but I'm delighted with the team I am bringing down."