AARON Purcell can't fault the preparation of his talented jumper Instigator leading into the $150,000 Galleywood Hurdle on Wednesday.
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Instigator, with stable jumps jockey Braidon Small in the saddle, scored a surprise win at his last run in the Bourke Hurdle at Pakenham last month which Purcell described as a bonus victory.
"The Galleywood is the race he's been set for, it looks a nice race for him," he said.
"This is his grand final. He's improved from his Bourke win. Instigator is a very good jumper and what makes him so good is he loves jumping.
"His jumping form leading into this race is excellent. From his four jumps starts he's won two and it could have been four wins with a bit of luck in those other two jumps races.
"Braidon's got a great understanding of Instigator. He'll have him travelling mid-field before making his run."
Purcell is no stranger to success in the Galleywood, having won the jumps feature with Two Hats in 2018. He rates Saunter Boy, trained by his good mate Ciaron Maher, as the main danger to his runner in Wednesday's 3200-metre race.
"Saunter Boy looks the one to beat," he said. "Ciaron has Saunter Boy ticking over very well. I thought there was a fair bit of improvement in Saunter Boy following his last-start hurdle win.
"Saunter Boy is the new kid on the block regarding jumps racing. I know Ciaron has a good wrap on him and that's a good indication Saunter Boy goes really good at the jumping caper.
"I also rate Peter Chow's Robbie's Star highly. He's an improving type of jumper. The heavy ground brings him right into the race."
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