GALWAY FESTIVAL: SHAMROCK looks at all seven races on the opening day of the 2016 Galway Festival. His nap runs in the final race.
5:15 Radissonhotelgalway.com & Galwaybayhotel.com Novice Hurdle (4yo, 2m 139y, 8 runners)
Looks straight forward for Muthaza to complete a hat-trick. The Willie Mullins trained filly has impressed with easy wins in both her starts to date and Mullins can complete his own hat-trick in the opener.
5:45 Easyfix Handicap Hurdle (88-109) (4yo+, 2m 139y, 23 runners)
A real jigsaw for punters to try and solve. Magnetic Force can only be a speculative place offering. He is in great form at present and proved he could handle the hustle and bustle of a big field when winning at Cork two starts ago.
6:15 Claregalwayhotel.ie (C & G) E.B.F. Maiden (Plus 10) (2yo, 7f, 10 runners)
All eyes will of course be on Dermot Weld’s first runner at the meeting, Right Honourable, but he faces a serious rival in the shape of the Aidan O’Brien trained Courage Under Fire. Both the market principals were placed at Leopardstown last time out. It’s hard to split the pair and preference might be a place bet on Brutal at similar odds to the front two are in the win market. Brutal has run well on both starts and went down by only a neck at Roscommon last time out.
6:50 Claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap (50-80) (3yo, 7f, 17 runners)
Heartful wears blinkers for the first time for Dermot Weld on handicap debut but looks too short in the market. Blairmayne is preferred, again on the place market.
7:20 Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap (70-100) (4yo+, 2m 179y, 23 runners)
Incredibly open handicap of which the answer may lie at the foot of the weights with Swamp Fox who won very easily at Ballinrobe. He races off a mark just 1lb higher which could easily allow him to figure. Around 25/1 looks generous.
7:50 Eventus Handicap (60-90) (3yo, 1m 4f 84y, 10 runners)
I like the look of Dermot Weld’s Baliyka here. She scored with plenty in hand at Gowran Park and can make a winning start in handicap company.
8:20 McGettigan’s Flat Race (4-7yo, 2m 139y, 14 runners)
Sizing Knockeen shaped well on debut but has a lengthy absence of 431 days to overcome. Preference is for the Willie Mullins trained Robin Des Foret who was a little disappointing on debut when fourth at Wexford but should be a lot better for the experience.
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
5.15 Muthaza
5.45 Magnetic Force (PLACE)
6.15 Brutal (PLACE)
6.50 Blairmayne (PLACE)
7.20 Swamp Fox (WIN AND PLACE) (NEXT BEST)
7.50 Baliyka
8.20 Robin Des Foret (NAP)
£25 IN FREE BETS
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