Debuchet set to light up Galway opener The presence of Debuchet in the opening Win Big With Tote Maiden Hurdle makes for an interesting start to proceedings on day three of this year’s Galway Festival. A rating of 140 ensures Mag Mullins’ grey is a standout performer in this company, and many will doubtless be prepared to row in behind the French-bred on his fifth outing over flights. Debuchet drops back from the Grade One company he kept at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown at the backend of last season and as just a five-year-old, there is still plenty of time for the high-class bumper performer to reach his full potential. Danny Mullins again takes the mount for his mother. The combination nearly had the day of all days when runner-up to the ill-fated Fayonagh in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2017. It may not be entirely straightforward for Debuchet as the likes of City Island, Getareason, Macgiloney and The Big Lense are worthy opponents. At the other end of the programme, talented apprentice Ben Coen may be worth following with his mounts Spiorad Saoirse and Waterville Dancer holding some appeal. Spiorad Saoirse is already a course winner, which should help in his quest for TheTote.com Handicap for the Andy Slattery yard. Waterville Dancer, meanwhile, went into plenty of notebooks at Leopardstown last time and he can play a prominent role in the Win Big With Tote Handicap for Charles Byrnes. Galway man and top amateur Derek O’Connor is already on the scoresheet at this year’s festival courtesy of Emmet Mullins’ Zero Ten on the opening night. He might get among the winners again as Joseph O’Brien has booked him for National Wealth in the Win Big With Tote (Q.R.) Maiden. This Invincible Spirit colt looks capable of stepping up a place on a recent Ballinrobe runner-up effort.
