Galvin primed for Punchestown challenge

Prolific seven-year-old back with Gordon Elliott after winning at Cheltenham.

Cheltenham Festival hero Galvin bids to provide trainer Gordon Elliott with a seventh victory in the Irish Daily Star – Best For Racing Coverage Chase at Punchestown on Wednesday.

It is a decade since Elliott first landed the Grade Three prize with the admirable Roi Du Mee, who successfully defended his crown 12 months later.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack also landed back-to-back renewals for the Elliott team in 2014 and 2015, with Toner D’Oudairies (2013) and The Storyteller (2020) others on the roll of honour.

Galvin will line up bidding for a sixth successive victory, his most recent coming in the National Hunt Chase at Prestbury Park in March.

The seven-year-old was trained by Ian Ferguson to win at the Festival due to Elliott’s well-publicised suspension, but has returned to Cullentra House ahead of his seasonal reappearance on Wednesday.

“He’s in good form. Obviously he’s giving a good bit of weight away and it’s a big ask, but he’s in good form and it’s a lovely starting point,” said Elliott.

“He’s taking on a few race-fit rivals as well, but we have to start somewhere.”

Galvin must concede 8lb to each of his four opponents in the hands of Davy Russell.

Willie Mullins saddles the Rich and Susannah Ricci-owned pair of Brahma Bull and Annamix, who were last seen finishing second and third respectively in last month’s Kerry National at Listowel.

Dommage Pour Toi (Andrew McNamara) and Snugsborough Hall (Liam Cusack) complete the quintet.

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