Express on track for Galway

Frances Crowley`s Moscow Express heads a field of 14 for the Compaq Galway Plate on the second day of the week-long festival tomorrow.

And Crowley is hopeful her consistent nine-year-old, who floored Florida Pearl in a Grade One contest at Fairyhouse in April, can repeat his success of two years ago in the #61,250 feature.

But he faces a tough task giving weight all round off 12st 2lb, and his rivals include Irish Grand National runner-up Rathbawn Prince (11-7) and Grimes (10-1), who was an easy winner at Tipperary earlier this month.

Miss Crowley also saddles the veteran Private Peace (10-7).

'They`re both in great form,' she said. 'I think the weather is nice up in Galway so hopefully it will dry up a bit. 'Moscow Express is in brilliant form and always rises to the occasion for a big race so I`ll be expecting a good run out of him.

'He`s very consistent and always puts up a good show in a big race.'

Top Irish jockey Ruby Walsh again takes the ride on Moscow Express and Miss Crowley feels he is certainly an asset to her horse.

'Ruby is his jockey. He gets on really well with him and that`s worth a lot to the horse,' she added.

'Private Peace could run a good race. He`s getting on a bit now but he was a very good horse in his day. He`s got a nice weight and, if everything went well, he could be thereabouts.'

British interest in the two-and-three-quarter-mile race centres around the James Adam-trained Monnaie Forte (9-7). 'This is a rough-and-tumble race and that will suit Monnaie Forte as he is a real street fighter. Rodi Greene will ride him as he can do the weight,' said the Berwickshire trainer.

Looking further ahead, Miss Crowley also had news of her star chaser Sackville.

The eight-year-old won eight races in a row in his novice season and will be a leading contender for Gold Cup honours at Cheltenham next March.

'He`s doing really well and will be coming in shortly,' she said.

'We have talked about him reappearing at the end of September.'