Galway Plate tempts Hammersly Lake's trainer Charlie Longsdon has not ruled out the prospect of running Hammersly Lake in next month’s TheTote.com Galway Plate. The Chipping Norton handler is planning to give the 10-year-old an entry in extended two-mile-six-furlong handicap despite expressing concerns about the prospect of him carrying a big weight. Having finished third on his penultimate start, the former Nicky Henderson-trained gelding got his head back in front for the first time in almost 10 months with victory at Cartmel on Sunday. Longsdon said: “He won well off 153 at Cartmel, but he will be nearly 160 next time. It is tough for him in these races off big weights in this weather, but he likes decent ground. “The Galway Plate has been talked about, but I’m not sure about it. You need a well-handicapped horse to win that race as you have seen Cheltenham Festival quality horses running off marks in the 140s. “We will definitely talk about it, he will have an entry and we will have a look, but he will be carrying nearly top weight. The prize money is amazing and that is a big temptation. “Going back to Far Hills in October for the American Grand National is an option. We are a bit more streetwise than last year. The race turned into a bit of a sprint last year and that didn’t suit him.”
