Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes highlight of September meeting

THE €50,000 Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes – the highlight of next week’s three-day Galway September meeting – has attracted an initial entry of 18, including a possible cross channel contender.

Newmarket-based Marco Botti could be represented by Magic Art, runner up on his previous outing at Newcastle in July, in Monday’s one mile, four furlong contest which was won 12 months ago by the versatile Missunited.

The highest rated entry is supplied by the Ger Lyons stable in Roheryn, a winner twice already this season, but the Aidan O’Brien yard could be mobhanded as the champion trainer is responsible for one third of the potential field, including Shell House which was successful at Down Royal and Nass earlier in the summer.

Dermot Weld, who maintained his stranglehold on the Trainers’ Championship at the Galway summer festival, has three possible contenders in Ebeyina, Startlet and Emerita, a winner last time out at Fairyhouse.

Track Manager John Moloney reports that the ground on the National Hunt course is currently yielding, while the underfoot conditions on the flat circuit are yielding to soft. “I am expecting the course to dry out a bit ahead of the meeting judging by the forecast.”

Moloney, fresh from increased crowds and betting returns at the summer festival, is optimistic that the three-day September fixture will also be successful. “I suppose the weather will have a big bearing, but the forecast is good for next week.”

Monday’s all-flat card gets underway at 4.35pm, while Tuesday’s programme which features the €30,000 Deacy Gilligan Novice Chase kicks off at 4.15pm. Wednesday’s action, also an all jumps fixture, starts at 4.30pm with the feature race the €26,000 Guinness Handicap Chase.

There are guaranteed jackpots of €3,000 daily, while admission is €15 with a reduction of €5 for OAPs and students.