GAVIN CROMWELL BLOG: BETDAQ Brand Ambassador Gavin Cromwell looks back on the Galway Races, previews his runners this week, and notes the return of stable star and Champion Hurdle winner Espoir D’Allen
Galway reflections
On the whole, Galway was a good week for the yard. We hit the post a few times with three seconds , but it was great that Ilikedwayurthinkin was able to win twice. It was another good performance to win on Sunday under a penalty and while we haven’t made any future plans with him, I’m sure he’ll be competitive wherever he goes next.
Leopardstown Thursday
Earl Of Bunnacurry was third on Tuesday at Naas and we’re turning him out again quickly on Thursday (7.55pm). We think the step up to 1m5f should suit and he should have a small squeak. It’s a deeper race than at Naas though, and he’ll need to improve again to be involved.
Cray is having his first start for us on the Flat (8.25pm). He’s been pretty consistent over jumps this season and we’re hoping he can translate that form. He’s off a mark of 73, which looks fair and he should run a nice race.
Downpatrick Sunday
We’d like to see some rain for Bianca Minola before she takes her chance on Sunday (1.50pm). We think a fair amount of her and there should be some good days to come, but she definitely needs cut in the ground. If she does get her preferred ground, we’d like to think she’ll go there with a decent chance.
Darver Star(2.20pm) is another who could do with a bit of rain as all of his form is with some juice in the ground. He’s back from a short lay-off but is race-fit and has been going well at home, so providing the forecasts are right, he should run well too.
The hustle and bustle of Galway didn’t really suit Walking In Memphis. We’re stepping her up in trip on Sunday (3.25pm) and we’re hoping she can put up a similar performance to the time before at Downpatrick where she broke her maiden tag. She’s come out of Galway fine and with any luck she’ll put the disappointing effort there behind her.
Father Ailbe ran a cracker at a big price at Galway on the Flat and we’re going back over hurdles (4.00pm) with him here. His hurdles mark of 109 means he’s one of the top-rated horses in the line-up and if he can continue the form from last time out he should be bang there.
Tipperary Sunday
For whatever reason, things didn’t go right for Call Me Dolly at Galway. She ran really well on her debut over seven furlongs at Tipperary before that though and back against her own sex (4.45pm), she should be more competitive than the last day.
Duchess Ravenwaves has been given a break since mid-April and she’s another who needs soft ground. She runs in the ladies race (5.15pm) on Sunday and she’s just ready to start back, so we’re hoping she can run well.
Espoir D’Allen
Espoir D’Allen came back into the yard at the end of last week and it’s great to have him back. He looks really well and it’s very exciting to be able to train a horse of his quality.
We haven’t made any plans yet on where we’ll start off, but the whole season will be campaigned around defending the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
