Fresh Fred No Soft Touch

Liam Burke believes a near-four month absence from the track will stand Sir Frederick in good stead as his leading William Hill Galway Plate fancy nears next Wednesday's assignment.

An 11-1 third favourite with the sponsors, the seven-year-old broke out of novice company with a tidy victory in a minor event at Clonmel in April on his latest start.

That success was on good to firm ground, so the current wet spell is causing County Cork-based Burke most concern.

'We're definitely planning to run, I just hope it's not too soft but I don't think the forecast is great,' he said.

'He really needs good ground and also needs a good bit of time in between races. I was going to give him a run a couple of weeks ago but I just felt he is better fresh.

'He has plenty of class and jumps well, although in a race as competitive as this, you can never be too confident.'

Burke hopes to secure Davy Russell for the ride as he has partnered Sir Frederick on a number of occasions.

The trainer will have another runner at the week-long Galway jamboree in Prairie Moonlight, an impressive winner of a beginners chase at Fairyhouse this month.

'I don't have many runners ? I mainly train point-to-pointers ? but these two would be my best,' he added.

'Prairie Moonlight is a good mare and she'll run in a novice chase and would be another to want it good, not soft.'

(C) PA Sport