Slattery praying for rain ahead of Galway Hurdle

Already on the scoreboard at this years festival, trainer Andy Slattery is hoping that the forecast rain arrives ahead of Thursdays Galway Hurdle.

Speaking after his Gomez Addams had landed the concluding bumper on Monday evening, Slattery said: "Sunchart and Royal Hollow (currently first on the ballot) are both entered in the Galway Hurdle.

"The more rain that falls the better for Sunchart. He’s in great form and loves soft ground.

“It’s probably a bit slower than yielding Flat ground at the moment and there is more rain forecast on Thursday.

“I’ll see how Royal Hollow is in the morning and talk to the owners. She got absolutely no run today (16th in the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap).

“She broke slow and was out the back, and then got stopped three times coming up the hill. She didn’t have a blow after it so we’ll see.

“If she won tonight then you wouldn’t mind going back again as to run her again so quick might put a dent in the season.

“There is plenty of good handicaps coming up like the Cesarewitch and the Petingo that I wouldn’t mind having a bash at. We could lose them by going back too quick.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.