GAVIN CROMWELL: A busy weekend lies ahead for brand ambassador Gavin Cromwell who is hoping for success at the Galway Races.
We’ve hit the woodwork a couple of times at Galway so far, but the horses are, in general, running pretty well which is always good to see. It’s the big summer meeting in Ireland, so it would be good to get our name on the scoresheet and hopefully we’ve got one or two darts over the last couple of days who can do just that.
Galway Saturday
We kick things off with Basia in the 7f maiden (3.13pm). She had a lovely debut run in Leopardstown and there was much to like about the way she did things there. She’s bound to improve from her first racecourse experience and with a great draw in one, she should have realistic place prospects.
Next up is Dazzling Darren in the 1m4f handicap (4.50pm). He’s got a bit of a disappointing draw in stall 20, but he’s been consistent for us on the Flat and won three races in a row in the UK a couple of seasons ago. He’s on an okay mark and was victorious off only three pounds lower at Sligo earlier this year, so is weighted to be involved. The draw is a concern, though.
Galway Sunday
We’re not 100% sure if Sunset Shiraz will run yet as she definitely needs a bit of cut to be at her best. She’s entered in the 7f maiden (2.45pm) and although she didn’t run too badly at Bellewstown last time, it did show us she’s much happier on a softer surface. She made a very promising debut, though, and a repeat of that would see her involved in the shake-up.
Li Mu Bai will be quickly turned out again in the 7f handicap (3.15pm). He was just touched off earlier in the week and has come out of that fine, so we’ve decided to take our chance again. He’s in really good heart at the moment, so we thought it best to strike while the iron is hot and we’re hoping for another bold showing.
My Mate Mozzie runs in the 1m6f race (4.50pm). He won the bumper at the Punchestown Festival, but was beaten in a Flat maiden at Ballinrobe last time. He’s probably up against it in this conditions race, but we’ll see how he goes. He’s very much one to look forward to over hurdles this coming season.
Finally, we run Five Helmets in the 1m6f handicap (5.20pm). He won back-to-back over hurdles in March for us and comes into this after finishing down the field over 1m2f at Naas. It’s quite an ask to win a race as competitive as this off top-weight, but we’ll claim some of that weight back. He has ability, so let’s hope he can show it on Sunday.
