IT’S A SOGGY START AT GALWAY: Soft ground for the opening day and SHAMROCK looks at all seven races starting with the 5.15. He is on a run of 4 winning naps from the last 6.
It’s a testing start at Galway with soft ground predicted.
Clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer said the ground is a little better on the hurdle and bumper course with mainly dry weather predicted for the next few days.
5:15 Galwaybayhotel.com & Radissonhotelgalway.com Novice Hurdle (4yo, 2m, 8 runners)
It’s bordering on irresponsible to oppose Dermot Weld trained runners at this – his favourite and most successful meeting but his runner in the opener Zafayan faces a stern challenger in the shape of the Willie Mullins trained Bachasson. There is very little to choose between the pair in the BETDAQ betting and both handle soft ground. Narrow preference is for Bachasson, a dual French bumper winner, who made a winning Irish debut at Sligo. He won easily despite some sketchy jumping. Mullins won the opener last year too.
5:45 Easyfix Rubber Products Handicap Hurdle (88-109) (4yo+, 2m, 22 runners)
The first of several head scratchers this week for punters. Weld’s runner here is Defining Year who is facing a hurdle in public for the first time in 551 days. He looks far too short in the market – even allowing for the Weld factor – as he hardly looks to be let in lightly on his handicap debut. A place lay for me.
6:15 Claregalwayhotel.ie (C & G) E.B.F. Maiden (Plus 10) (2yo, 7f, 9 runners)
The first flat race of the meeting and (SHOCK!!) I am with Weld this time with True Solitaire who is my day one nap and I’m hoping he will boost my current run of naps to 5 from the last 7. The defection of the Aidan O’Brien trained Johannes Vermeer makes his task easier for sure. True Solitaire was second on debut at Gowran Park to Turret Rocks who went on to finish third in a Group 3 at Leopardstown. The ground is a little concern but I will have to trust Weld who has won this six times since 2006.
6:50 Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap (70-100) (4yo+, 2m, 19 runners)
Despite looking impossible this race is often won by a horse fairly prominent in the market. Tony Martin has won the last two runnings – last year with 4/1 fav Quick Jack. He runs three this year the best of which looks to be Ted Veale who will be suited by the ground and looks on a tempting handicap mark. He’s 7lb lower than when he last ran on the flat when finishing in mid-division in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh. A place bet for me.
7:20 Claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap (50-80) (3yo, 7f, 17 runners)
Cenotaph was my advance pick for this one but he’s a non runner and that leaves the door open for Tadaany who has fared well with the draw (2) and looks likely to relish the softer ground.
7:50 Colm Quinn BMW Handicap (60-90) (3yo, 1m 3f 180y, 10 runners)
Harasava was odds on at Sligo but only won narrowly. I prefer the chances of Aidan O’Brien’s Loved who was interestingly pitched in at Group 3 level on debut and found that too tough but got off the mark with a Limerick maiden win last time out.
8:20 McGettigan’s Flat Race (4-7yo, 2m, 12 runners)
Another Cyclone made a hugely encouraging debut when fourth in a big field on testing ground at Fairyhouse. That form stands out here.
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
5.15 Bachasson
5.45 Defining Year (PLACE LAY)
6.15 True Solitaire (NAP)
6.50 Ted Veale (PLACE)
7.20 Tadaany
7.50 Loved
8.20 Another Cyclone (NEXT BEST)
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