Day 2 of the festival was most definitely a day for the bookies. Especially for me as I could only find Rathlin to steady the ship. Today is a bit of a head scratcher. Obviously the Galway Plate will be a great contest and always draws a big crowd to Ballybrit. However, there are a couple of wide open handicaps on the card leaving backers and layers alike a little perplexed. It might be tricky to find one today, but we’ll give it our best!

Lets have a run through the card!

100,000 Tote Pick 6 Guarantee Maiden Hurdle 15:00- Blackmail is the odds on favourite and has been a decent bumper performer. Second to Ted Veale last time in a flat race at Bellewstown beating the experienced Pique Sous into third. Hard to oppose him. For the sake of value an “easy-to-back” alternative is Some Article who is the nearest challenger in the market. The highlight of his for is a fourth place 9 and a half lengths behind good hurdler Un Atout. There has been money on the exchanges for it.

Bet 10 Get 10 At TheTote.com Handicap Hurdle 15:35 – After a spell over fences Six Stone Ned comes back to hurdling off a fair mark and has every chance. One with an each way chance at a bigger price is CourtnCatcher – only a 2lb rise after most recent second in Roscommon.

40,000 Tote Jackpot Guarantee Handicap Hurdle 16:00 – AHorseCalledMolly has been progressive since returning to the track from a set back and runs off off a handy weight getting my each way money. Not too keen though.

Tote Win 24% Better than Bookmakers Sp (Q.R.) Maiden 16:45- Army Ranger surely has to be the best bred horse in the race – out of a winning half sister to Rock of Gibraltar and by Gallileo. He should be a more relaxed animal this time – slightly green on debut even though second! Union Dues is not value!

Galway Plate 17:30 – Klepht from Tom Mullins’ yard for me in this. Good win in Punchestown in April. His last run can be regarded as a prep for this when alarmed by a ‘5’ in the form figures.

Trifecta Rollover Handicap 18:05 – Not too keen on anything here. Badger Daly deserves eachway respect and will benefit from a very nice draw. Frame claims as bookies paying to fourth.

Bet Online at the Tote.com Handicap 18:40 – Contemplating not having a bet here and just watching. Competitive market for a four horse race. I’m not keen enough on anything to get stuck in at the prices.

Tote Return All Profits To Irish Racing Maiden 19:10 – This should be fairly straight forward for Jayed Jidan, the long odds on shot. A euro or two each way on Sweet Refusal at a huge price might give you back a few quid if he gets into the frame!

Thats it for Day 3! Fingers crossed! Follow @turftalktom on Twitter for any updates throughout the day!

The very best of luck with your selections!

Slán tamaillín,

T

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 1 of the Galway festival 2013 has come and gone and in the blink of an eye Dermot Weld, the King of Ballybrit, nails two races from seven in a fairly casual manner. The man’s a freak! If he is top trainer for the festival this year it will be his 27th time doing it…..that’s ridiculous.

We didn’t do too bad ourselves as Honourable Emperor ran into the each way money at a big price and Wicklow Brave nabbed the bumper to get the week off to nice start.

Let’s have a gander at today’s card to try and keep the momentum!

Topaz Novice Hurdle 17:05 – DKW said after the first yesterday that Diplomat won fairly easily and without performing to the best of his ability. With that in mind, if he is fit and well and runs today he is the obvious option again. If I was to pick one to oppose him it would be Elegant Statesman.

Latin Quarter Chase 17:40 – Small field here and the market suggests that there are only three with statistical chances. Of those the one I would prefer is the 7/4 favourite Rathlin.

Topaz EBF 2yo Fillies Maiden 18:10 – Weld and Smullen are back again with the odds on favourte here in the shape of Tarfasha. At her price I could not back her and so I’ve sided with Ballybacka Queen for a bit of value and she has a bit of form on others in the race.

Topaz Mile Handicap 18:45 – Fortify, who although carries a 5lb penalty still has a chance and I’d also give an each way chance to Campanology of Johnny Murtagh’s who will benefit from a handy weight and a nice draw.

Caulfieldindustrial.com EBF Maiden 19:15 – Pirate Cove is again the odds on favourite for Dermot Weld here and would look to be the one. If backing odds on favourites is not your thing, then keep the money in the pocket. She should get the job done.

Caulfield Industrial Athlone Handicap 19:45 – This looks to be a fairly open contest. I’ve gone for two. Knights Templar who has a bit of form this summer over a mile and steps back to 7 furlongs here. The other is Lily of Kenmare from Mick Halford. The draw is against her but I have a sneaking suspicion she could be worth an each way bet.

Caulfieldindustrial.com Handicap 20:15 – Two catch the eye here for each way bets. Course and distance winner Face Value definitely deserves some each way respect. Also the 9 year old Beau Michael ridden by an in form Conor King claiming 5lb off deserves attention from each way punters.

So thats it for Day 2. There will no doubt be a slightly sombre mood around Galway today as the racing community has lost one of it’s favourite sons. The legendary Colm Murray lost a long battle with Motor Neurone disease this morning. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. May he rest in peace.

The very best of luck with your selections. Hopefully we can find a winner!

Slán tamaillín,

T

Hello there me auld segosha, it’s been too long! Yes, I made it back from my travels! In case you were wondering, I’ve been in Cuba for the past month travelling around trying to find myself! I’m still looking, but I did learn two valuable life lessons (1) Communism is very different in real life than how old Marxy planned it and (2) Cheap Rum gives you a bad hangover. But now I’m back, refreshed and rejuvenated, and ready to try and find a winner or two for the 7 day Galway festival!

Galway, the festival, is the best craic of all time with some of the most competitive racing of the summer. Galway, the track, is a little unusual. It’s about a mile and a quarter round with a lot of “undulations”. I use the quotation marks as perhaps these “undulations” would better be described as slightly slanting cliffs. The finish at Ballybrit is ridiculous. The say the hill in Cheltenham brings the best horse in the race to the front, or at least the one thats travelling the best. The hill in Galway, however, can really kill momentum and rhythm and often blows the race right open. Basically what I’m trying to say is the Galway track can often cause the punters to suffer, so don’t expect an easy ride this week, although DKW seems to have our backs!

With that in mind lets have a look at this evening’s card!

Galwaybayhotel.com Novice Hurdle 5:10 – Diplomat is the one to beat here and should get the job done for Weld and Walsh. He is being napped all over the place. I’m not going to oppose him as such but I’m just not backing him. His 8/11 price is most definitely not value, although I think he should win. Too risky for me. I’m going for a small each way bet in this on Honourable Emperor. The form with Green Dragon and King of the Picts with this fella is slightly underwhelming but it’s a small risk for a big reward to run into second or third. If he makes the frame consider it a bonus!!

Sean “The Budgie” Burgess Memorial Handicap Hurdle 5:40 – 23 runner handicap = each way play! I like two here. Hurricane Ridge from the Harrington stable has dabbled in both codes over his career but should be bang there today. Another is  Habesh who carries a handy weight and has another 5 lbs claimed off him by Paddy Kennedy. Not too sure how the ground will suit but hopefully he can go well.

Claregalwayhotel.ie Maiden 6:10 – Weld’s Mustajeeb is the evens fav at the minute. I’ve gone for the more experienced Ballydoyle colt by the name of  Friendship. I’d fancy his 6/4 chance. Beaten by a good horse in Exogenesis last time, this two year old is held in good regard at home and hopefully can beat this small field.

Connacht Hotel Handicap 6:45 – Call Me Bubbles the deserving favourite and Notable Graduate  providing sturdy opposition in the market. There are a number here with statistical chances, so I’ve gone looking for some of the bigger prices available. John Nicholson provides the mare Knockcroghery who has struck a bit of form this summer. With the very able Rachel Blackmore claiming 7 lbs the weight becomes even more appealing to the punters eye. Ive gone each way on the mare but on merit Call me Bubbles should justify market favouritism.

Claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap 7:15 – I’ve gone for the Bolger filly here in what is going to be a fairly competitive race. Strapless is coming from a yard in form and has class. She has no friends in the market at the minute and is available at 10’s or 12’s depending on where you do your business. I’ve gone each way on her but if you don’t fancy her Doc Holiday is an able alternative.

Galway Oyster Hotel Handicap 7:45 – Pay Day Kitten is the 2/1 fav at present. I’m contemplating not having a bet here as I think it could be a wise enough option. If you feel the need Great Explorer could be in the mix coming to the line although steps up the extra two furlongs in trip into unknown territory.

pillohotelgalway.com Bumper 8:15 – Weld has the favourite here in Martys Magic and the main market opposition is provided by the formidable bumper duo of Mullins Snr and Jnr in the form of Wicklow Brave. I’ve gone for the Mullins charge with an extra nibble on the Elliot trained Riverside city who also has friends in the market being well backed in to 5/1.

So thats it for Day 1, hopefully there is a winner there some where! I think I’m on the radio tomorrow so keep an eye on the twitter and I’ll let you all know what time! Best of luck with your selections.

Slán tamaillín,

T