SWEET ON SOUR 4.35

Mullins’ charge is in fine form ahead of Ballybrit exam

WILLIE Mullins holds a formidable hand going into today’s Galway Hurdle with Whiskey Sour leading the charge.

The Closutton handler is responsible for top weight Sharjah, Blazer, Max Dynamite — the mount of Ruby Walsh — and the hat-trick-seeking duo of Good Thyne Tara and Voix Du Reve Blazer.

But perhaps Mullins’ most potent attacking force is Grade One-winning hurdler Whiskey Sour, a fine fifth in the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting in June.

Patrick Mullins (right), the trainer’s son and assistant, said: ‘Whiskey Sour won two races in Galway last year, so he obviously likes the track and course form around Galway is so important.

‘He’s a horse who had Grade One form from the winter and also ran very well in the County Hurdle.

‘The only worry is he’s not a big horse — he’s quite a small and compact Flat horse — and he’s got a lot of weight. That would be the concern.’

Meanwhile John Quinn expressed relief and anticipation in equal measure after Project Bluebook narrowly made the cut for today’s big race.

The JP McManus-owned five-year-old scraped in at the bottom of the weights, but his trainer is nonetheless expectant of a big performance.

Project Bluebook finished a creditable sixth in the Galway Hurdle 12 months ago, but now runs off a lower mark and will also have the assistance of Brian Hughes.

Yorkshire-based Quinn said: ‘He’s in good form and it’s great that he got into the race. Last year he was running as a novice, but he ran a good old race in spite of that.

‘He’s now an older horse and knows what the game is about a bit more, so that should stand him in good stead. I’m pleased with him and it’s very handy that Brian is riding as he knows him well.

‘We’re really looking forward to it.’

Bedrock, trained by Iain Jardine, and Dr Richard Newland’s Leoncavallo are the other British challengers in the 20-runner field.

McManus won the race last year with Tigris River, who bids for the double for Joseph O’Brien.