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Galway
is 136 miles from Dublin. The racecourse is situated 4 miles outside the
heart of Galway city centre. The course itself is right-handed and almost
rectangular of 1 mile 2 furlongs. There is a sharp decent to the turn in
with a steep incline to finish uphill finish of 2 furlongs. One of the
distinctions of Irish racing is the popularity over there of mixed cards.
The Galway Festival is no exception. Races at the Festival will be held on
the flat as well as over obstacles.
As
any Irish veteran racegoer will attest to, Galway rarely disappoints. From
the pleasure of viewing the horses at close quarters in the parade ring to
the euphoria of seeing your choice first past the winning post, a day's
racing is constantly exciting from first to last. And next year, there
will be an extra day added to the week, extending the Festival to the
Sunday. As they say - "You haven't lived if you haven't been to the
Galway Races!"
THE COURSES
FLAT ~ On the flat, horses drawn low are do have a slight advantage.
HURDLES ~Races over hurdles are held on the flat course with 6 hurdles
jumped to a circuit.
FENCES ~The steeplechase course has 7 fences to a circuit, and is placed
on the outside of the course. Rather uniquely, the last two fences at
Galway are very close together, and it is imperative that these are met on
the right stride.
GALWAY
FESTIVAL
Sunday 6th August
2:00 Ready To Go Beginners Chase
The 4 Long Pole ~ Mykon Gold, Sun Strand, Outlook Good, King Of Kerry, and
Be Home Early, are the ones to consider in the opener. Mykon Gold will be
popular after falling at the last with the race at his mercy last time out
at Wexford. However I prefer Sun Strand was a decent second to Paul's Run
in a handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival
No*1 CHOICE ~ Sun Strand
E/W Alt ~ Be Home Early
2:30 e-merge Maiden Hurdle
The 4 Long Pole ~ Former useful handicapper on the flat Grinkov has got a
great chance of winning the second, however he hasn't reproduce that level
of form thus far over hurdles. It may pay to go with McCracken who must be
considered on the strength of his second to Royal Barathea at the
Punchestown Festival
No*1 CHOICE ~ McCracken
E/W Alt ~ Hip Pocket
Two trappy divisions of this handicap hurdle.
3:00 High Speed Data Handicap Hurdle (Div I)
The 4 Long Pole ~ Wonder Will He lost should be popular after a neck
defeat to River Consul here on Monday. I marginally prefer Asas (Eachway)
who has just come back into form and took a similar event at Dundalk last
time out
No*1 CHOICE ~ Asas E/W
Alt ~ Wonder Will He
3:35 High Speed Data Handicap Hurdle (Div II)
The 4 Long Pole ~ Dark Trojan, an interesting horse on the flat over here
opened his hurdles account with a stylish effort at Dundalk last time. The
fact that he was a good third here earlier in the week all bodes well for
a good effort here today
No*1 CHOICE ~ Dark Trojan
E/W Alt ~ Magua
4:05 Western Cellular Handicap
The 4 Long Pole ~ Breaking the Wave, a promising fourth behind Citizen
Edward on his recent start should foil another gamble on Silver Spray
(already a winner at this festival) in another open handicap
No*1 CHOICE ~ Breaking the Wave
E/W Alt ~ Icydora
4:35 Eircell 'What Boundaries' Handicap
The 4 Long Pole ~ Course specialist Zankle ran well earlier in the week
and is worthy of eachway consideration in another nightmare race for
punters
No*1 CHOICE ~ Zankle E/W
Alt ~ Basin Street Blues
5:05 WAP Race
The 4 Long Pole ~ Sand Partridge officially rated best of these should
score if he reproduces form that saw her finish second to Kermiyana at
Leopardstown.
No*1 CHOICE ~ Sand Partridge
E/W Alt ~
5:35 Eirtime Options I.N.H. Flat Race
The 4 Long Pole ~ I'll oppose the obvious with Buffalo Bill and select
Whippin Piccadily another newcomer from a yard quite capable of getting
them ready first time out
No*1 CHOICE ~ Whippin Piccadily
Alt ~ Buffalo Bill
GALWAY FESTIVAL
Saturday 5th August
2:30 Jockeys Association Beginners Chase
The 4 Long Pole ~ Difficult opener for punters with Khairabar, Rhum
Dancer, Tidjani, Coq De Mirande, Ortelius, and Misty Moments, all
possibilities. J P Macmanus appears to have a strong hand in this with
both Khairabar and Tidjani both useful hurdlers trying to make the grade
over fences. Both didn't probably win as often as they should of, and
there must be some a good chance t hat this could continue to occur over
the larger obstacles. Although Rhum Dancer appears to also suffer from
seconditis his form with Francis Bay in a handicap at Killarney was not a
bad performance and therefore he may be the percentage call
No*1 CHOICE ~ Rhum Dancer
E/W Alt ~ Coq De Mirande,
3:00 Low Low Galway Blazers Handicap Chase
The 4 Long Pole ~ O So Blue, Sean Connors, An Tain Shioc, Scallybuck,
Colm's Rock, and Nippy Cherry, head the market for a competitive second
event. Sean Connors, who beat Martys Step and subsequent Galway winner
River Cora at Wexford last month must go close, however he may have to
give best to the progressive O So Blue who gone up 14lb in the ratings as
a result of wins at Kilbeggan and Wexford. An Tain Shioc beaten by the
selection last time out has strong place claims
No*1 CHOICE ~ O So Blue
E/W Alt ~ An Tain Shioc
3:35 Dawn Milk Handicap Hurdle
The 4 Long Pole ~ Duinin, Bannow Bay, Cappamore Girl, Native Estates,
Nicholls Cross, Silver Frontier, look to have good chances in the third.
Preference is for Bannow Bay, who turns out under a 10lb penalty having
beaten Testify here on Thursday. He is a progressive horse and the penalty
may not be enough from stopping hum taking this
No*1 CHOICE ~ Bannow Bay
E/W Alt ~ Whatchowillie, who also won earlier in the week may be good
enough to sneak a place
4:05 Dawn Hi and Lo E.B.F. Maiden
The 4 Long Pole ~ Hadrian's Wall a half-brother to Elaflaak, a Gulch colt
who won her first three races as a juvenile in Britain last season should
be another winner for Aidan O'Brien in the next
No*1 CHOICE ~ Hadrian's Wall
E/W Alt ~ Backcraft
4:35 E.B.F. Premier Nursery Handicap
The 4 Long Pole ~ Ceann Amhain Eile may be good enough to take a trappy
Nursery. He ran well over 5f last time out and the step up in trip and
10lb claim may enable him to get his head in front today
No*1 CHOICE ~ Ceann Amhain Eile,
E/W Alt ~
5:05 Kerry Spring Handicap
The 4 Long Pole ~ Gamekeeper, Hip Pocket, Ballintry Guest, Delphi, Fraser
Carey, Divine Dancer, Ashjar, Bypharbeanri, and The Cushman head the
market for the next. Gamekeeper, another winner earlier in the week is
likely to be a warm order as amongst his victims that day were Darialann
and Perugino Diamond, who dominated the closing stages of Thursday's
Galway Hurdle. Hard to oppose him on that evidence
No*1 CHOICE ~ Gamekeeper
E/W Alt ~ The Cushman
5:35 Kerry Maid Festival I.N.H. Flat Race
The 4 Long Pole ~ Roomtoroom Express, who won a useful looking bumper at
Leopardstown in January, will be difficult to beat if he reproduces that
effort. Horse Chestnut looks the chief rival
No*1 CHOICE ~ Roomtoroom Express,
E/W Alt ~ The King's Doctor
GALWAY
FESTIVAL ~ SELECTIONS ONLY I'M AFRAID
Friday August 4th - Guinness Day
5.00 PM The Budweiser Q.R. Handicap Hurdle of £9,500 (Rated 0-116) an
extended handicap hurdle for four yrs old and upwards rated 0-116 2miles
2furlongs
The 4 Long Pole ~
No*1 CHOICE ~ Rith Dubh
E/W Alt ~ Shereevagh
5.30 PM The Tony O'Malley Memorial Handicap Steeplechase of £15,000 an
extended handicap steeplechase for four yrs old and upwards 2miles
1furlong
The 4 Long Pole ~
No*1 CHOICE ~ Rostropovich,
E/W Alt ~ Sopranino
6.00 PM The Smithwicks Maiden of £7,500 for three yrs old only, maidens
at starting over 1 1/2 miles
The 4 Long Pole ~
No*1 CHOICE ~ Francis Bay
E/W Alt ~ Mr Baxter Basics
6.40 PM The Guinness Extra Stout Handicap of £25,000 an extended h'cap
for 3 yrs old and upwards over 1 1/2 miles
The 4 Long Pole ~
No*1 CHOICE ~ Izmir
E/W Alt ~ Chimes at Midnight
7.15 PM The Harp Lager Handicap of £10,000 (Rated 60-92) An extended
handicap for three yrs old and upwards rated 60-92 over 1 mile, 100 yards
The 4 Long Pole ~
No*1 CHOICE ~ Wimbledon
E/W Alt ~ Golden Fact
7.50 PM The Carlsberg Race of £8,000 For two yrs old only, maidens at
starting which had been purchased as yearlings (under the hammer) at
Public Auction in Ireland or Great Britain for 25,000 guineas or less (the
first sale to govern the price if sold more than once as a yearling)
Over 7 furlongs
The 4 Long Pole ~
No*1 CHOICE ~ Wayfarer,
E/W Alt ~ Kono
8.25 PM The Guinness Extra Cold Race of £8,000 For four yrs old and
upwards which have not won a race other than one race value not more than
£4,500 Over 7 furlongs
The 4 Long Pole ~
No*1 CHOICE ~ Ansar
E/W Alt ~ Sophronia
GALWAY
FESTIVAL
Thursday August 3rd - Guinness Day
1.50 PM The Guinness Novice Steeplechase of £11,000 A steeplechase for
four yrs old and upwards that have not won a steeplechase before 1st May,
1999 other than one Hunters Steeplechase in the previous two National Hunt
Seasons 2miles and over one furlongs
The 4 Long Pole ~ Keeping The Faith, Royal Marine, Moscow Retreat,
Sawa-Id, Ashjar, and Woodchester, are the likeliest winners of race One.
Keeping the Faith may well prove popular after finishing 1 1/2l second to
the well-fancied Bamford Castle on the Flat at Gowran in June. He should
go well. There also shouldn't be much between Sawa-Id and Ashjar based on
their recent meeting at Wexford last month. These should run well, but
Royal Marine appeals most of all. You could label him, as a bit of a
professional loser, howevr the fact remains that he possesses the best
form of these, and in receipt of 7lbs from his main rivals he may be worth
chancing. Woodchester who won at the Killarney Festival last month could
be the eachway alternative
No*1 CHOICE ~ Royal Marine
E/W Alt ~ Woodchester
2.25 PM The Harp Lager Novice Hurdle of £10,000 A hurdle race for four
yrs old and upwards that have not won a hurdle race before 1st May 1999.
Over 2miles & 4 furlongs
The 4 Long Pole ~ Canon Can (USA), Leopard Rock, Carina Bay, Alleged
Aggressor (USA), Dr Torus, Maradan, Bayling, Cockpit Lady, Deckie, and
Karowna have chances of sorts in the second. In truth though it should be
a straight fight between Canon Can, Leopard Rock and Alleged Aggressor.
Canon Can formerly a top class stayer on the flat is finally transferring
that ability to the jumps, and although it may be tight between these I
expect him to prevail
No*1 CHOICE ~ Canon Can (USA),
E/W Alt ~
3.00 PM The St. James's Gate Handicap Hurdle of £14,000 (Rated 0-130) an
extended handicap hurdle for four yrs old and upwards rated 0-130 Over 3
miles
The 4 Long Pole ~ Bannow Bay, Clanlucky, Like A Lion, Equalise,
Triptodicks, Oranbay, Testify, Star Club, Green Light, Wolseley Lord, and
Shantarini, are likely to head the market for race three. This may fall to
Bannow Bay, a very expensive failure last time out (subject of a sizeable
gamble) at Tipperary. Previous to that effort, this relatively unexposed
sort finished a good 2nd of 25 to behind Testify at Punchestown beaten 2½Lengths.
I would be prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. Testify,
Clanlucky, and Oranbay look his chief rivals
No*1 CHOICE ~ Bannow Bay
E/W Alt ~ Testify
3.45PM The Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap of £100,000 an extended
handicap hurdle race for four yrs old and upwards. Over 2miles
The 4 Long Pole ~ Afarad, Magic Combination, Winter Garden, Tryphaena,
Barba Papa, Darialann, Fable, She's Our Mare, Akasian, Perugino Diamond,
Quintus, Vivo, Snow Dragon, Theatreworld, Cloda's Minstral, and
Experimental all have chances of sorts in an ultra competitive renewal of
the Galway hurdle. The race is some ways is spoilt by the presence of
Theatreworld at the head of the market, having the effect of congesting
the weights for his rivals. Vivo, Magic Combination, She's Our Mare,
Afarad and Tryphaena, have all run well recently and look to have been
prepared to the letter for this. The hurly burly and pace of this race
suits Tryphaena down to the ground and with luck in running is the
selection to land the spoils
No*1 CHOICE ~ Tryphaena,
E/W Alt ~ Fable
LONG*SHOT ~ Vivo
4.25 PM The Guinness Handicap of £10,500 (Rated 0-85) An extended
handicap for three yrs old only rated 0-85 1 mile, 100 yards
The 4 Long Pole ~ Montana Lady, On Your Marks, Chateau Lina, Red Blooded,
Barr Na Sraide, Alyska, and Montpelier Street have chances in the next.
Montana Lady having her third race within a five-day period will be well
supported again after being beaten by Tarakan at The Curragh on Saturday,
and here over 7f on Tuesday night. She may have to give best though to
Alyska, a narrow winner of a Dundalk maiden last timeout
No*1 CHOICE ~ Alyska E/W
Alt ~ Montana Lady
5.00 PM The Guinness European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden of £11,500 For
three yrs old fillies only, maidens at starting, that are E.B.F. eligible
1 mile, 100 yards
The 4 Long Pole ~ Carmels Gift, She's Wonderful, Berkeley Bay, Rainbow
Realm, and Consalvo, are the likeliest winners of the next on the cards.
I'm not convinced that a 5lb penalty will stop the in-foal She's
Wonderful, a decisive winner here yesterday, who is set to reappears here
if showing no ill-effects
No*1 CHOICE ~ She's Wonderful, if absent Consalvo
E/W Alt ~ Gonemoggelease
5.35 PM The Smithwicks Handicap of £9,500 (Rated 0-70) an extended
handicap for three yrs old and upwards rated 0-70 1 1/2 miles
The 4 Long Pole ~ A poor event that Dermot Weld's newcomer Romantic
Venture, should take at the first time of asking
No*1 CHOICE ~ Romantic Venture,
E/W Alt ~
6.05 PM The Arthur Guinness (Pro/Am) Flat Race of £8,000 An I.N.H. flat
race for five yrs old and upwards that have not won a race 2miles
2furlongs
The 4 Long Pole ~Brennys Pearl, who whipped round at the start and refused
to race last time out has the form to win this if judged on her second to
Conzara at Navan, and Southbay at the same venue in May. Hopefully that
was an unfortunate 'one-off'
No*1 CHOICE ~ Brennys Pearl
E/W Alt ~ Asociet
GALWAY
FESTIVAL
Wednesday 2nd August - Compaq Day
1.50 PM The Compaq Alpha Systems Hurdle of £9,000 A hurdle race for four
yrs old and upwards that have not won a hurdle race other than one or two
weight for age hurdle races singly or collectively value not more than £8,000
Over 2miles
The 4 Long Pole ~ Donadino, The Prince, Masalarian, Pillar Rock, Bushman's
River, Cotopaxi, Khaysan, Berengarius are the only ones I'd give a chance
to in the opener. I've always thought that The Prince would make a
hurdler, and this useful flat performer, did not let me down with an
effortless 12 Length rout at Newton Abbot on his debut. He must go well,
but Donadino looks to be on a roll, and this recent easy Roscommon winner
may just outlast him, despite conceding him weight.
No*1 CHOICE ~ Donadino
E/W Alt ~ Masalarian, race should be run to suit him
2.25 PM The Compaq AltaVista Search Engine Handicap Hurdle of £11,000
(Rated 0-116) an extended handicap hurdle for four yrs old and upwards
rated 0-116 2miles & 4 furlongs
The 4 Long Pole ~ Conzara, Old Tim, Shared Account, Back To Bavaria,
Rolling Maul, Shaiyran, Whatchowillie, Windy Spirit, Mistress Kate,
Prosperous Penny, and Willyelkra head a competitive market for race two.
Shared Account will no doubt have his supporters but was disappointing
behind Lord Grey at Bellewstown, he will need to improve on that effort to
figure here. I think the race figures around him, Back To Bavaria, another
expensive failure at Bellewstown last time, Southbay, Whatchowillie, and
Conzara. Southbay is a consistent sort and in a trappy heat is worthy of
eachway support
No*1 CHOICE ~ Southbay E/W
Alt ~ Conzara
3.00 PM The Compaq NonStop eBusiness Handicap of £10,500 (Rated 0-80) An
extended handicap for three yrs old and upwards rated 0-80 Over 1 1/2
miles
The 4 Long Pole ~ Kerry Isle is another horse likely to attract strong
support after her sixth of 16 to Montpelier Street over 1m2f at Cork in
June. She's sure to go well but the consistent She's Wonderful has been
showing consistent form, all summer and her 2nd to Snow Dragon at
Roscommon last month would probably be good enough to take this.
No*1 CHOICE ~ She's Wonderful
E/W Alt ~ Aliwaiyn
3.45 PM The Compaq Galway Plate (Steeplechase Handicap) (Grade 2)
Guaranteed value of not less than £100,000 an extended handicap
steeplechase for four yrs old and upwards. 2miles & 6 furlongs
Moscow Express Trained by Miss F M Crowley 8 12-0
Lucky Town Trained by E Bolger 9 11-0b
Feathered Leader Trained by A L T Moore 8 10-13t
Treble Bob Trained by D K Weld 10 10-9b
Dante´s Battle Trained by Noel Meade 8 10-8
Super Franky Trained by C Byrnes 7 10-6b
Nicholls Cross Trained by E J O´Grady 8 10-5
Forestal Trained by P R Webber 8 10-4
Palette Trained by W P Mullins 8 10-4
The Gopher Trained by D J Wintle 11 10-4b
Valley Erne Trained by Michael Cunningham 9 10-1
Wisley Wonder Trained by N A Twiston-Davies 10 10-1b
Colm´s Rock Trained by Miss F M Crowley 9 10-0
Sparkey Smith Trained by C F Swan 8 10-0
Twilight Buck Trained by P A Fahy 7 10-0
Dovaly Trained by M J P O´Brien 7 9-13
Duinin Trained by P Hughes 6 9-13
Governor Daniel Trained by Ian Williams 9 9-11
Derrymoyle Trained by Michael Cunningham 11 9-8
Feeling Grand Trained by Henry De Bromhead 8 9-8
Francis Bay Trained by D K Weld 5 9-8b
Tell The Nipper Trained by Michael Hourigan 9 9-7
The 4 Long Pole ~ Lucky Town, Super Franky, Dante's Battle, Duinin,
Feathered Leader, Nicholls Cross, Palette, Valley Erne, Francis Bay,
Moscow Express, Colm's Rock, and Dovaly all have chances in an ultra
competitive renewal of the Galway Plate. Last years winner Moscow Express
tries his luck again, and whilst his preparation has gone smoothly, you
have to wonder whether he quite will be able to concede all of this weight
to his opponents. You could apply the same comments to Lucky Town placed
in this race before. He should go close but may be found wanting close
home under his burden. So whom do I like? Duinin has been t he subject of
strong market support this week, and his forms suggest a bold showing;
Dante's Battle has won his last two and should put in another good effort,
as should Super Franky who has obviously been laid out for this. Nichols
Cross will go well but keeps finding one or two too good each time. I
suspect the same will happen again today. Two horses catch my eye.
Feathered Leader and Francis Bay. Feathered Leader may not have got the
trip in the Irish National, but has won easily twice since then. Off of
10-13 he looks very menacing, and should get placed. I marginally prefer
the lightly weighted 5-year-old Francis Bay, who is very menacing off of
9-8 if he handles the track, and rigours of this race. He is 100% certain
to have been well prepared by 'Mr Galway' Dermot Weld
No*1 CHOICE ~ Francis Bay
E/W Alt ~ Feathered Leader
4.25 PM The Compaq Software Publishing Services Handicap of £9,500 (Rated
0-70) An extended handicap for four yrs old and upwards rated 0-70 1 mile,
100 yards
The 4 Long Pole ~ Whatever happens to Francis Bay; stablemate Umpqua
Eagle, a course and distance winner who has been dropped in the weights
since finishing fourth in a 7f contest at Leopardstown in June, should
thwart a gamble on the British trained Silvertown.
No*1 CHOICE ~ Umpqua Eagle
E/W Alt ~ Larifaari.
5.00 PM The Compaq Services Maiden of £8,500 For three yrs old and
upwards, maidens at starting 1 mile, 100 yards
The 4 Long Pole ~ This looks a straight fight between Sage Dancer and
Franca. Franca; fourth to Chimes At Midnight on her debut, appeals the
most
No*1 CHOICE ~ Franca
E/W Alt ~ Meigiu
5.35 PM The Compaq Lifecycle Solutions Handicap of £5,000 (Rated 0-60) An
extended handicap for three yrs old only rated 0-60 1 mile, 100 yards
The 4 Long Pole ~ This looks an easy assignment for Step with Style and it
will be a surprise if she gets turned over
No*1 CHOICE ~ Step With Style
E/W Alt ~
6.05 PM The Compaq Software Acquisition (Q.R.) Maiden of £9,500 for three
yrs old and upward, maidens at starting 1 1/2 miles
The 4 Long Pole ~ the last is a very weak affair and it may pay to stick
with Monday's winner Silver Spray despite his penalty for that success. Château
Lina looks the chief danger
No*1 CHOICE ~ Silver Spray
E/W Alt ~ Chateau Lina
GALWAY
FESTIVAL
Tuesday 1st August - McDonogh Day
5.00 PM The Albatros N.Rich Maiden Hurdle of £7,500 A hurdle race for
four and five yrs old only, maidens at starting over 2miles
The 4 Long Pole ~ Ansar, Patsy Veale, King's Ego, Derravarra Sunset,
Christy Senior, Busy Signal, Himrani, Barg Alail, Discerning Air, and
Genghis Khan, look the likeliest winners of race one. Patsy Veale, a 5l
winner of a bumper at Dundalk in June arguably is in good heart and should
go well, as should Genghis Khan, thus far a little disappointing over
obstacles, and Himrani a nicely bred Aga Khan 'cast off' who should be
winning before too long. It is however difficult to oppose Ansar, as he
has everything going for him. He represent Dermot Weld Galway's leading
trainer, but more importantly he has far and away the best form of these.
A 5l second to the subsequent Triumph Hurdle third General Cloney in a
maiden hurdle at Gowran, plus a narrow defeat in the Chester Cup make him
look a bit of a 'good thing'.
No*1 CHOICE ~ Ansar
E/W Alt ~ Himrani
Long Shot ~ Genghis Khan
5.35 PM The Albatros Steeplechase of £13,000 A steeplechase for four yrs
old and upwards which have not won a steeplechase other than one or two
steeplechases singly or collectively value not more than £8,000 2miles
and over 6 furlongs
The 4 Long Pole ~ River Cora, Joyce Bel, Cairncross, Shanavoher, Brandy
Galore, Jolly John, and Monks Error, head the market for the second. River
Cora is likely to prove popular after a good second to Scallybuck in the
Elan Midlands National at Kilbeggan, and a good second to easy Market
Rasen winner Aerleon Pete. Which he might go and win this Brandy Galore is
an improving sort and this winner of a beginners chase at Kilbeggan, may
be on the upgrade, and is therefore worthy of eachway consideration
No*1 CHOICE ~ Brandy Galore E/W
Alt ~ River Cora
6.10 PM The McDonogh Feeds European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden of £12,500
For two yrs old fillies only, maidens at starting that are E.B.F. eligible
Over 7 furlongs
The 4 Long Pole ~ Dream, a very promising 4th on her debut at the Curragh,
should oblige here providing her Japanese pilot adapts to this unique
circuit.
No*1 CHOICE ~ Dream
E/W Alt ~ Gold Prospector
6.50 PM The McDonogh European Breeders Fund Handicap (Listed Race)
guaranteed value of not less than £70,000, an extended handicap for three
yrs old and upwards over 1 mile, 100 yards
The 4 Long Pole ~ Livadiya, Rush Brook, Tissifer, Tarry Flynn One Won One
(USA), Khaysan, Sarraaf, That's Logic, and Wray look to have chances in
this open event. Golden Fact, 2nd in this event last year, Khaysan and
Tarry Flynn have been laid out for this and must go well. I would suggest
that you take a chance on One Won One at eachway odds to be nursed into a
place by the genial Paul Carberry. He is a genuine Group 3 horse who will
be suited to the hurly burly of the race, and has thus far posted useful
performances Listed Group event at distances just short of this trip
No*1 CHOICE ~ One Won One E/W
Alt ~ Khaysan
7.25 PM The Albatros Suregrass Handicap of £9,000 (Rated 0-75) an
extended handicap for three yrs old and upwards rated 0-75 Over 7 furlongs
The 4 Long Pole ~ Zankle is likely to be well supported after his comeback
run at Leopardstown particularly as he hails from Dermot weld's yard. I
prefer Outward Bound. This four-year-old has been dropped 12lb in the
ratings since his last appearance, and could be very interesting. His
trainer Michael Cunningham likes to land the odd Galway Festival gamble,
so don't be surprised if he goes close.
No*1 CHOICE ~ Outward Bound
E/W Alt ~ Impulsif
8.00 PM The McDonogh Fertilizer Maiden of £7,000 for three yrs old only,
maidens at starting over 7 furlongs
The 4 Long Pole ~ The 'Dermot Weld' factor should be seen in evidence
again here and his Twice the Ease can be expected to step up significantly
on its debut and score here
No*1 CHOICE ~ Twice the Ease
E/W Alt ~
GALWAY
FESTIVAL
Monday July 31st - G.P.T Day
5.00The G.P.T. Sligo Maiden Hurdle Of £7,500, a hurdle race for six yrs
old and upwards, maidens at starting over 2miles
The 4 Long Pole ~ Colonel Galbraith, Cross The Suir, Native Time, Bodies
Pride, Lively Buck, Itsmothershorse, Homestead and Sardakaan look to have
the best chances in the opener. Bodies Pride, and Sardakaan have been
placed in similar company and should go well. Colonel Gailbrath finished
11/2L behind, Some Steed in a maiden hurdle at Naas. He subsequently has
joined Noel Chances yard in England, and whatever happens today will find
some races in due course. He may have to give best to Cross the Suir, who
hasn't been sited since finishing a decent 4th in a novice hurdle in 1998.
As he hails from the all-powerful Christy Roche yard, he is sure to be
well prepared for this and it would surprise me if he obliged
No*1 CHOICE ~ Cross the Suir
E/W Alt ~ Sardakaan
5.35PM The G.P.T. Dublin Handicap Hurdle of £8,000, an extended handicap
hurdle for four yrs old and upwards rated 0-123 over 2miles
The 4 Long Pole ~ Shanillo, Bart's Choice, Courageous, Clever Consul,
Wonder Will He, Aliwaiyn, and Dee-One-O-One look to have the best chances
in the second on the card. Willie Mullins' Bart's Choice has been in good
form during the summer, and has posted thus far two easy wins at
Tipperary, and Tramore. I can see him going close. I marginally Courageous
who won a little hurdle race at Killarney in May but has since won three
decent stayers handicap on the flat
No*1 CHOICE ~ Courageous [R*ecommended],
E/W Alt ~ Dee-One-O-One
6.10The G.P.T. Industrial Properties (C&G) European Breeders Fund
Maiden of £12,000; For two yrs old colts and geldings only, maidens at
starting which are E.B.F. eligible Over 7 furlongs
The 4 Long Pole ~ This should an easy introduction for the well-regarded
Aidan O'Brien newcomer Hemingway.
No*1 CHOICE ~ Hemingway [R*ecommended],
E/W Alt ~
6.50The G.P.T. Galway Q.R. Handicap of £40,000 (Rated 0-90) an extended
handicap for four yrs old and upwards rated 0-90 over 2miles
The 4 Long Pole ~ The feature race on day one of the festival is the GPT
Amateur Handicap. This is another competitive renewal of the event, if
which I would give chances to Rathbawn Prince, Spokesman, Pollardsfield,
Dionisio (USA), Mise Eire, Dark Trojan, Perugino Diamond, Aboriginal, and
The Bongo Man. Rathbawn Prince chances may well be advertised should
Courageous who beat him two runs ago go close in the 5.35. He should give
a good account of himself. I'd take a chance with Jim Bolger's Mise Eire
of whom his trainer said after his easy debut win "I think he's the
best-looking horse I have ever trained, and he could have a big future
over jumps. There's a possibility that he could go to the top over
fences". Whatever happens today he is certainly one to keep on the
right side of.
No*1 CHOICE ~ Mise Eire E/W [R*ecommended],
Alt ~ Rathbawn Prince
7.25The G.P.T. Van & Truck Rentals Handicap of £8,250 (Rated 0-85) An
extended handicap for three year olds only rated 0-85 1 1/2 miles
The 4 Long Pole ~ Soviet Blues, Chimes At Midnight (USA), Murrayfield
(USA) Beaver Lodge, Carmels Gift, February Mountain, and Persian King can
all be given chances in the fifth on the card. Whatever transpires to be
Mise Eire's fate in the previous event, his half brother Citizen Edward
must have a great chance of posting his fourth win on the season. Citizen
Edward was unable to get on terms when bidding for a four-timer on his
latest start, and should be suited by the longer trip.
No*1 CHOICE ~ Citizen Edward
E/W Alt ~ Chimes at Midnight
8.00The G.P.T. Cork Handicap of £7,500 Rated (0-70) An extended handicap
for three yrs old only rated 0-65 Over 1 mile and 100 yards
The 4 Long Pole ~ Silver Spray, Sandymount Alice, Stubbles, and Wonder
Bell, look the likeliest winners of a very trappy handicap. Stubbles who
pipped Silver Spray last time out at Killarney is a tentative eachway
selection
No*1 CHOICE ~ Stubbles E/W
Alt ~ Wonder Bell
8.35The G.P.T. Contractors Plant Flat Race of £7,500, An I.N.H. flat race
for four yrs old and upwards that have not won a race Over 2miles
The 4 Long Pole ~ The market may well signify how well regarded Aidan
O'Brien's Buffalo Bill is. I would look no further than Aunt Aggie; half
sister to the useful Time for a Run, who ran well on her debut at
Punchestown to finish a promising 2 1/2 lengths third to Forever After.
Don't be surprised if there is a punt on here today
No*1 CHOICE ~ Aunt Aggie
E/W Alt ~ Dowhatyoudodowell
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