Hi all,
Horse racing doesn’t get any busier than this week with Goodwood & Galway Festivals. The latter starts today, and Goodwood begins five days of racing on the South Downs on Tuesday. I have selections from three races at Galway for you today.
Galway Festival
5:55 – The two I like most in this handicap hurdle are: Convara & Al Sakb. The latter won a Ballinrobe maiden hurdle on good ground 6-days ago. The first time cheekpieces may well have been responsible for the selection’s improvement. Interestingly the cheekpieces are replaced by first time blinkers today and if new headgear brings out more improvement the 6-year-old can go close here.
Convara impressed when winning a Down Royal maiden on his last start over hurdles back in June. The 5-year-old has twice respectably on the flat since and could well be ahead of his mark. Useful 5lb conditional Darragh O’Keeffe, who rode the gelding at Down Royal keeps the ride. Slight concern about the ground for the selection, as he probably prefers good rather than softer underfoot conditions.
Favourite Lingar and Dumhach Thra also need respecting in an open looking race but I’m happy to go with Convara & Al Sakb.
Convara – 12/1 @ William Hill & Paddy Power
Al Sakb – 12/1 @ William Hill
7:05 – A flat handicap for 3-year-old only.
Calling Time, comes into the race looking for a hat trick after recent wins at Roscommon and Killarney. The top weight looks capable of going close, although stall 11 could be better.
Eagles Rock, was only beaten ½ length at Gowran Park 43-days ago and prior to that had won a Listowel handicap over today’s trip, off 3lb lower. The filly was runner-up to 1,000 Guineas heroine Hermosa over C&D here 12 months ago. A literal interpretation of that form would mean she’s a well handicapped horse off 76.
Improving, was a close-up 4th to Eagles Rock at Listowel, despite not the clearest of passages. At the revised weights there shouldn’t be much between the pair here but it’s worth noting that was the gelding’s seasonal reappearance. He built on that effort when a ½ length second at Limerick over 6 ½ f last month. Has a good draw in stall one and looks set for a bold show.
Silver Service is also nicely drawn in stall 2. The filly won two nursery’s last July & August. She also has course form when only beaten a length into 4th over C&D 12 months ago. Looked to becoming into form for the first time this season when 4th of 7 at Naas 23-days ago. The handicapper has eased her 2lb since her last run. There is a slight stamina doubt for 7f but she finished off her race well enough at Naas to think she will stay the trip and the first time hood has been enlisted. Trainer Michael Mulvany won this in 2018 and he could be set for back to back wins in the race.
Improving – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Silver Service – 14/1 @ Bet365
7:40 – It’s not often that an amateur riders’ race is the feature race at a meeting like this but there is €70,800 on offer to the winner of this 2m 1f flat handicap which has predictably attracted a big field of 20 runners.
My three against the field are: Baba Boom, Legal Spin & Mr Everest.
Baba Boom, was last seen in action winning a 1m 4f handicap here 12 months ago. He now runs in the colours of J P McManus who like a winner or two at the Galway Festival. Fitness shouldn’t be an issue as the 4-year-old was only beaten ¾ length on his first start last season. He’s only had the seven starts, so could be capable of more progress despite being 9lb higher than his last win. Top amateur Derek O’Connor takes the ride.
Legal Spin, could be the pick of the four Willie Mullins trained runners. The 4-year-old returned to action with a ¾ length 2nd of 13 at the Curragh 30-days ago. Up 3lb since his Curragh run. He’s only had the 6 career starts so remains open to further progress and looks set to go well for a trainer who has won the last two running’s of this race.
Mr Everest, trained by Tony Martin who won this race in 2013 & 2014. The 6-year-old was a decisive winner of a heavy ground Listowel 1m 6f handicap last September before going onto win the November Handicap at Naas on his final start of 2018. Just the one run over hurdles in 2019, when 2nd of 20 at Fairyhouse back in April but no doubt he’s been aimed at this race. Ran well over hurdles here 12 months ago so the track should hold no terrors for the selection and he’s very effective in a big field. Sure, to go well if his wide draw in 17 isn’t an inconvenience.
Legal Spin – 8/1 @ Bet365 or 15/2 – Gen
Mr Everest – 8/1 – Gen
Baba Boom – 12/1 @ William Hill – each way (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
Back tomorrow with selections for Goodwood and no doubt Galway.
Cheers
John