GALWAY Sat: Galway is the port of call this Saturday for a competitive looking seven-race card.
⭕ We kick things off with a three-year-old maiden hurdle (1:57pm) over 2m½f. Better was clearly expected from Gordon Elliott’s Kaleosun on debut as he was sent off the 4/6 favourite. Things didn’t go to plan as he was headed and weakened after the final hurdle. It’s probably worth giving him another chance though and he can take advantage here, possibly at the main expense of Martin Brassil’s newcomer Ose Partir, who should be watched in the market.
⭕ Another maiden hurdle (2:32pm) over 2m½f, this one for horses aged four and older, follows. This doesn’t look the strongest of events and it could be worth taking a chance on Release The Beast, a newcomer from the Paul Nolan yard. He’s by a fairly new sire in Affinisea but is related to several hurdles winners and could be capable of winning on debut.
⭕ Horses five years old and above line up in the next maiden hurdle (3:07pm), also over a trip of 2m½f. Ca Plane Pour Moi is an interesting runner here on his debut for Cillian Murphy, having finished third in a point-to-point on his only previous start. However, Pour Les Filles was probably beaten by a smart horse in Antrim Coast on his first start over hurdles at Punchestown two weeks ago. Gordon Elliott’s runner should appreciate this drop back in trip and can make amends.
⭕ The fourth race on the card from Ballybrit is a 2m2f novice chase (3:42pm). Paul Flynn’s The Big Chap put in an inspired performance to get the better of a high-class rival in My Mate Mozzie on his second chase start at Fairyhouse last time. He should go well once again, but may need to improve further is he is to get the better of the Mark Walsh-ridden Spillane’s Tower. This son of Walk In The Park makes his chase debut, but has some eye-catching hurdles form to his name, including when finishing second to Monbeg Park on his final start last season. If his jumping holds up on his introduction to fences, he could take a bit of beating.
⭕ A 2m6f handicap hurdle (4:17pm) comes next, where Lord Snootie is a fascinating runner for Welsh trainer Christian Williams. The fact he takes this son of Malinas across the Irish Sea looks like a tip in itself. Considering he ran very well to finish fifth in a Grade B handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival off this same mark of 120, he should have a good chance in this weaker event.
⭕ The penultimate race on the card is a 3m handicap hurdle (4:52pm). Pour The Wine is still a maiden after 10 starts but showed improved form on her reappearance when finishing third – beaten only a length – at Killarney last time. She’s still relatively lightly raced and could be capable of gaining a first win.
⭕ A bumper (5:22pm) over 2m½f brings the curtain down on the card. Butcher Hollow could be of interest having won his only point-to-point start in impressive fashion. Trainer Margaret Mullins often does well in these contests and her debutant Jassur Des Brosses, who is related to winners on both the flat and over hurdles, is taken to make a winning introduction.
