Meade targeting Galway Plate success

Trainer Noel Meade has confirmed that he will give Road To Riches an opportunity to win his second Galway Plate on July 27.

The nine-year-old has not looked back since winning in Galway in 2014 with success following in the Champion Chase at Down Royal and the Lexus at Leopardstown.

Road To Riches also enjoyed a respectable third-placed finish behind Coneygree in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, before trailing in behind winner Carlingford Lough in the Irish Gold Cup in February.

An appearance at Cheltenham this year resulted in another third place finish behind victor Vautour in the Ryanair Chase.

Meade’s focus is firmly back on the Galway Plate despite acknowledging it could be seen as backward step for the horse.

Meade said: “He’s back in to run in the Galway Plate.

“Obviously he’ll have top weight and it’s a bit strange to see a horse like him with his rating running in a Galway Plate, but he’s going to run in it.”