Galway Preview: Redera handicapped to strike for in-form Martin

Trainer Tony Martin is enjoying a terrific Galway Festival, and Redera can provide him with another winner in today’s Guinness Handicap Hurdle (5.10).

The gelding is a useful sort over hurdles, and the handicapper has taken a big chance in dropping him 4lb since his last run over the obstacles behind Dell’ Arfca in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The eight-year-old now runs off a mark of just 129, his lowest in three years ,and comes into the contest on the back of a promising run on the flat when keeping on to finish a not knocked about fifth to El Salvador at Killarney.

That was the son of Chevalier’s first run for 229 days and should have put him spot on for this assignment.

Another plus is that Redera has the services of Shane Shortall in the saddle, who has already tasted success in two big races this week and is terrific value for his 7lb claim.

Toureen Legend ran a cracker when runner-up last time out and looks decent each-way value in the 1m 4f handicap (6.50).

The Tommy Stack trained gelding went down by just a head in a competitive 16-runner contest at the Curragh, where he looked the likely winner until getting chinned in the dying strides.

The four-year-old gets into this off the same mark as 85, and that makes Toureen Legand look nicely treated in a wide open contest.

In the 1m handicap (7.55), Botanical Lady can land the spoils following an excellent second here earlier in the week.

The filly is trained by Harry Rogers, whose stable is enjoying a good spell at present, and failed by just 3/4 of a length to overhaul Expensive Date over 7f on Monday.

The daughter of Moss Vale was gaining all the way to the line, and the step up to a mile looks sure to suit.

Botanical Lady is also due to go up 4lb for that run, so she is ahead of the handicapper and undoubtedly the pick of the weights.