Jockey Silks (Owners colours

SETTING the SCENE

with Richard Forristal

It was at Galway that Belfast Banter finally broke his duck over flights at the 11th attempt last autumn. He returns now a transformed character, with the world, or at least the Guinness Galway Hurdle (6.15), at his feet.

A decisive winner of the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Belfast Banter arrives back at Ballybrit – where he was beaten in a novice hurdle 12 months ago – a Grade 1 winner following his triumph in the Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree. Peter Fahey has overseen the most spectacular of turnarounds with a six-year-old that looked for so long to be a nearly horse, and he might not be done yet.

Kevin Sexton’s mount is 15lbs higher than when victorious in the Cotswolds, but the presence of Saldier at the top of the page means he gets into this €250,000 showpiece with just 10st 13lb on his back. He ought to take plenty stopping, notwithstanding that it is a typically deep renewal of this prestigious event.

Saldier is one of three that will represent Willie Mullins, the other two being the 2020 Triumph Hurdle heroine Burning Victory and the JP McManus-owned Ciel De Neige, which is the mount of Paul Townend. McManus has other chances, not least with Magic Trix and Winner Takes Itall, while Sole Pretender, for local handler Norman Lee, and the Shark Hanlon-trained Skyace are others of note. Emmet Mullins also stakes his claim with Cape Gentleman in what is a fascinating affair.

The opening couple of events could be booked for Willie Mullins, with the emphatic Cork winner Farout interesting under Brian Hayes in the novice hurdle (4.35) and the Townend-ridden Bleu Berry the one to beat in the beginners’ chase (5.10).

Bleu Berry is a late recruit to chasing at ten years of age, but he looked back to something like his best when beating Snow Falcon at Punchestown recently. At his peak, he is the pick of these, although the return of City Island is intriguing.

Mullins has three live players in the Rockshore Novice Chase (5.45) as well, but Gin On Lime appeals here for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe.

The Robcour-owned mare has been superlative in her last three starts at this sort of mid-range trip, so she is fancied to make them all go if she can get into her now familiar rhythm on the front end around this tight circuit.