After six fantastic days of racing the Galway Festival 2013 draws to a close today with an action packed seven race card!
Technical difficulties strike again today so, much to your dismay
I’m sure, this will be brief!
2:15Letter of Credit for the Mangans
should have a strong claim here.
2:45 Not too strong here. Steeltown has a handy mark. If his jumping is right he has each way claims at a price.
3:20Busted
Tycoon was very impressive under a patient ride last night. She had it won 2 out nearly. If she runs she has a very solid chance again. Ruby booked.
3:55 No bet here but the favourite should be better that these if right.
4:30Spot the Pro has a biggish weight but should still have a chance.
5:00 The experience of Top OtheRa will be an advantage over this field. Ran well on Monday.
5:30
The favourite here is Devils Bride bred by Charles Persse of Kells Lodge Stud, Kilkenny. This well
related half brother of Rigour Back Bob made €50,000 as a four year old and has significantly increased in value after two solid wins from his only two visits to a racecourse! He has real potential to
be better than this challenge.
Good morning folks! Hope you were all on yesterday! Having a few technical difficulties this morning and doing this on my phone. Therefore this will be very very brief!!! (Hangover also a factor!)
2:00 – Siding with the son of Shamardal Leafcutter here.
2:35 –Princess Aloof for the Harrington yard here.
3:10 -Undecided…maybe Pintura
3:45 – Abou Ben goes back over hurdles. Ground very much in favour!
4:20 –Capitol Hill was good enough to catch my eye on Wednesday. Steps back in trip.
4:55 – Face Value was good the other day. Likes the ground. Trip may be a bit sharp but hopefully he’ll stick the pace.
5:25 –Exotic looks bred for the trip. Hopefully can handle the ground.
5:55 – Busted Tycoon won well on Tuesday and is now odds on here. Baltiman might have an each way chance at the price.
I’m in a bit of a rush this morning so I’m afraid this is going to be brief. I’m driving across to Galway today for racing this evening and tomorrow!
Yesterday was a tough day for me. Don’t Tell No One saved the day in the last for the owner/breeder Brian Gleeson from RTÉ and replenished my pockets!
I’ll quickly run through the card!
17:05 – Guinness 17:59 EBF Fillies Maiden – Dermot Weld is represented by Backdropridden by Smullen. Will come on a lot from last run when green. The one!!
17:40 – Arthur Guinness Handicap – WoodSophieSmile for Tony Martin will have a nice chance. Never raced on ground.
18:15 – Guinness EBF Maiden – Might not get involved. If I do I’ll back Agreement.
18:50 – Guinness Handicap – Curley Bill for Noel Mead and Fran Berry.
19:25 – Guinness Race – Unaccompanied is my bet of the day. 6/4 on is a bit tight though.
19:55 – Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase – Gone each way on Murchu.
20:25 – Guinness Q.R Handicap Hurdle – Treacys Hotel Boy catches the eye for Henry de Bromhead. 7lb claim off helps.
This yoke might go well around Galway today considering the conditions!
Day 3 of the festival was a long drawn out kick in the stones for myself. Sweet Refusal running into second at a big early price of 40/1 or 50/1, depending on where you do your business, helped to stem the flow.
It has rained quite heavily overnight and the going has changed once again. Apparently there is a tornado warning…. The Flat and Chase tracks are now both being described as Heavy whilst the hurdle track in regarded as Soft by the decision makers in Ballybrit. I imagine there could be a right few non runners today. A lot of these summer horses will get home on this type of ground, so there might not even be that many finishers in some races. Form on this ground is a must now when making selections.
With that in mind let’s have a look at todays action!
Perfect Pint Beginners Chase 13:50 – The favourite is Jim Culloty’s Spring Heeled who has form on this type of ground and is a talent in his on right. The money is coming for him on the exchanges this morning. A winter horse thats managed to get winter weather. Very difficult to oppose him now.
Guinness Mid Strength Novice Chase 14:30 – Rebel Fitz is returning for more Galway glory and an attempt at his third win in the spin after a good win at Killarney and a slightly harder fought victory at Ballinrobe on HEAVY ground. No value in the market though. No bet here for me. Observing!
Guinness Time Handicap 15:00 – This is a fairly open contest and bearing in mind that the flat track is heavy, these horses will struggle a lot. One with a bit of “cut-in-the-ground” form would be Measured Approval. He should travel on the ground and get home at the very least. Claims!
Guinness EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes 15:40 – Everyone seems to want to be on Yellowrosebud on the exchanges who has form in the book being second to Irish guineas frame-maker Rehn’s Nest. However, I am going to oppose the favourite here and side with Sendmylovetorose who has three wins on the spin in heavyish ground and has a 11lbs on the favourite (she’s a year younger but still!). She beat some good horses as a two year old and has every chance here on her seasonal debut.
Arthur Guinness Projects Novice Hurdle 16:15 – A fairly competitive novice hurdle. I’ve sided with Our man Zebo who won a decent maiden hurdle in Ballinrobe on ground with cut and a decent win at Wexford last time suggests he has potential.
Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap 16:55 – I’m going for Ted Veale here for two reasons. Tony Martin’s are in top form and Blackmail won handy yesterday so hopefully Ted can frank that form today! Also a distant second, but second nonetheless to Jezki at Punchestown in April. Each way alternative Hisaabaat.
IRFU Chartable trust Handicap 17:35 – Shalaman (NON RUNNER NOW)is the one I’ve gone for here. Each way alternative Mighty Whitey. Not too keen here though. Wide open.
Guinness Quarter Flat Race 18:10 – The unexposed Don’t Tell No One from the Weld yard is the current favourite. Owned and bred by RTÉ’s Brian Gleeson. If the money comes for it later in the day follow it! The alternative is Colin Bowe’s Marley Exit.
So that’s that for Day 4. Hopefully we can pull something out of the bag! Best of Luck!
Turf Talk 