GALWAY DAY FIVE: SHAMROCK heads to the Galway Festival for day five of the meeting. He bids to bounce back after a disappointing day yesterday.
It certainly didn’t go to plan yesterday and after some good results earlier in the week it proved a disappointing day.
Back to Galway for their seven race card which gets underway at 5.10pm on Friday.
5:10 Guinness Handicap Hurdle (4yo+, 2m, 14 runners)
Xsquared ran well at Killarney last time out when third in a handicap hurdle. He’s crept up the handicap after three wins in a row but can still play a hand here and is recommended in the BETDAQ place market in a very competitive opener. Orgilgo Bay, who just missed out on getting into the Galway Hurdle, is a big danger for me. We know he has a touch of class as he finished third to Hawk High in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival and has been lightly raced since but romped home by 20 lengths at Downpatrick last time out.
5:40 Guinness 17:59 E.B.F. Median Auction Maiden (2yo, 7f, 15 runners)
Dermot Weld’s Bleu Ciel Et Rouge was denied by the narrowest margin of a nose on her debut at Bellewstown when beaten by Ice Echo but the pair finished six and a half lengths clear of the third horse and they were well spread out in behind. With normal improvement, coupled with the stables astonishing record at this meeting, Bleu Ciel Et Rouge should be able to go one better. David Wachman won this last year and saddles the obvious danger Fit For The Job who was second over 6f at Navan last time out but should be suited by the longer trip here.
6:15 Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (4yo+, 2m 6f, 23 runners)
Without doubt the toughest race on the card today. Shamiran looks an interesting win and place proposition. He’s been given a short break since disappointing in the Cork Derby on the flat but was previously in good form over fences and finished second at Ballinrobe. Rivage D’Or definitely goes on the short list too. He ran an excellent race when runner-up to Caim Hill at Kilbeggan last time out and his rider takes off a useful 5lb.
6:50 Guinness Handicap (3yo+, 1m 4f, 14 runners)
This is one race at Galway that Dermot Weld doesn’t have a great record in. He relies on Show Court this year who was third in the race 12 months ago. He has obviously been campaigned with this race in mind but preference is for Dark Crusader, a course and distance winner, who is gradually dropping in the handicap. Tony Martin’s runner is fitted with a first time hood and is recommended win and place.
7:25 Guinness E.B.F. Maiden (3yo+, 1m 4f, 7 runners)
Very little to choose between the first three in the betting with narrow preference going to the John Oxx trained Awesome Star (a son of Sea The Stars) who made a pleasing debut at the Curragh when beaten just a head a neck behind Sea The Lion. He was slowly into stride that day and should come on a lot for that effort.
7:55 Arthur Guinness Handicap (50-70) (3yo, 1m 100y, 15 runners)
Crecora didn’t show much in three starts last season but made a winning debut in handicap company at Killarney and looks worthy of place consideration in this much more competitive race. Expensive Lady and Botanical Lady were first and second here on Monday and are set to do battle again – I expect the form to be confirmed between these two and Expensive Lady come out best of the pair again.
8:25 Guinness Race (4yo+, 1m 6f, 6 runners)
Dermot Weld’s Forgotten Rules is a debutant on the flat but a bumper winner at Punchestown and he looks a very useful recruit. He sauntered to an impressive 13 length success at the Punchestown Festival and it would be a major surprise if he can’t make a winning flat debut.
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
5.10 Xsquared (PLACE)
5.40 Bleu Ciel Et Rouge (NAP)
6.15 Shamiran (WIN and PLACE)
6.50 Dark Crusader (WIN and PLACE)
7.25 Awesome Star (NEXT BEST)
7.55 Crecora (PLACE)
8.25 Forgotten Rules (WIN)
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