Busted Tycoon and Shane Shortall, noseband, hacking up at Galway© Photo Healy Racing
The 2013 Galway Festival draws to a close on Sunday and Pires attempts to end an excellent week for Tony Martin on a high in the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase.
The nine-year-old doesn't have many miles on the clock in this sphere but has been placed over timber and on the level on his two most recent appearances.
Toner D'Oudairies is a major threat now that he steps into handicap company over fences on a mark 8lb lower than his hurdles figure, and Tabhachtach struck at this fixture 12 months ago so has to be respected as well.
Martin and Ruby Walsh also team up with Nearest The Pin in the opening Easy-Fix Beginners Chase at 2.15.
Useful over the smaller obstacles, he has taken a while to get the hang of this game and may have to settle for second best behind Darwins Fox, who was placed on the Flat earlier in the week.< Busted Tycoon has helped contribute to Martin's winning spree and, providing Tuesday's winner turns out again following her scheduled appearance on Saturday, she will take a power of beating in the Vision Express EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle.
Curley Bill triumphed here on Friday night and now reverts to the National Hunt sphere in the Trappers Inn Maiden Hurdle, with the Dermot Weld-trained Notable Graduate a major opponent as he attempts to atone for Monday's Flat disappointment.
The latter's stable companion Grecian Tiger had his limitations exposed in the Grade One bumper at the Punchestown Festival and returns at a more realistic level in the Fr. Breen Memorial (Pro-Am) Flat Race, although Willie Mullins' Devils Bride has been impressive on his two outings.
Abolitionist broke through at Sligo last month and strives to follow up off a 6lb higher mark against recent Ballinrobe runner-up Hold Em Cowboy in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
