YOU would have loved to be inside John Breslin’s head as Tudor City drew alongside Jesse Evans in last year’s renewal of the Galway Hurdle. He must have been feeling immensely proud as his brave 10-year-old battled hard to claim a second victory in the race. It was also John‘s third Galway Hurdle after Quick Jack’s victory in 2015.

As we look ahead to this year’s festival, Tudor City will once again line up in the Galway Hurdle for an attempt to make it three Galway Hurdles and four for John himself. Before last year no horse had won the race twice so to win it three times really would be a magnificent achievement. It is most certainly not beyond the realm of possibility though and John reckons his now 11-year-old has a massive chance

“The way the horse is at the moment, you would have to have a go at it,” he said. “He is in brilliant form. His run in the Curragh last time out was brilliant, he came home flying.

“Look it, he is off 136, He might need a couple to come out but hopefully that happens and he gets a chance to have a crack at it. I think at this stage as well he is a people’s horse. I am sure there will be plenty there cheering for him.”

Breslin has struck up a fantastic partnership with Tony Martin over the years and the pair have had some wonderful horses such as Quick Jack, Ted Veale, and Living Next Door. The Meath man reckons that Tudor City can stand proudly among the best that he has had.

“If you go by prize money, he is up there with the best that I have had. He has won over €500,000 and has nine wins. He is right up there and the good thing about him is that he is not slowing down either.

“No matter what happens at Galway next week, I do believe that there is more to be won with him. I have to give credit to Tony and the lads in Arodstown, they have got him to this stage. He is an amazing little horse and he seems to be thriving with age.”

Galway holds a special place in Johns’s heart having provided him with so many glorious days. He also recognises that success in Galway does not come easy and he outlined the formula needed to win at Ballybrit.

“It is a very special place for us. In 2013 Busted Tycoon won there three times in the one week, and Blackmail also won there the same week. That was very special. To have four winners in one week was incredible and a great achievement. Galway is a place that we do try to aim for.

“It’s competitive though. You need a horse rated high enough to get into them but well enough handicapped to win.

“You think you are going with a well-handicapped horse but there is always someone that can come along and beat you. It’s the one meeting during the summer that everyone wants to win at.”