A look ahead to Galway's Thursday card Townshend heads a strong field for the Guinness Open Gate Brewery Novice Chase at Galway on Thursday. The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old has won three of his five starts over fences to date and barely came off the bridle on his latest start at Roscommon. He must concede weight to each of his seven opponents in this Grade Three contest, but nevertheless merits maximum respect. The highest-rated participant is Jessica Harrington's Don't Touch It, who was a Grade One winner over hurdles and although it took him a little while to find his feet after having his attentions turned to the larger obstacles, he won a valuable handicap at the Punchestown Festival when last seen. Other contenders include Mullins' second string Rathvinden, Peter Fahey's stable star Peregrine Run and high-class four-year-old Landofhopeandglory from Joseph O'Brien's yard. The Guinness Novice Hurdle is another intriguing affair. Mullins is once again double-handed, with stable jockey Ruby Walsh preferring exciting Punchestown scorer Lac Kivu to stablemate Robin Des Foret, the mount of Paul Townend, who is three from four over hurdles. Joseph O'Brien's Bhutan and Gordon Ellliott's Its All Guesswork also figure in a six-strong line-up. The Flat feature on day four of the Festival is the Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes. The Listed contest has attracted 16 runners - as well as two reserves - with the standard set by Dermot Weld's Raymonda. The Khalid Abdullah-owned four-year-old has been competing at Group level this season, most recently finishing third in the Brownstown Stakes at Fairyhouse. On paper at least, this looks an easier assignment and if the visor has the desired effect, she should prove difficult to beat. Harrington's recent Killarney scorer Drumfad Bay and Aidan O'Brien's Alphabet look the two most likely to pick up the pieces if Raymonda does not run up to scratch.
