SHAMROCK IS THE GALWAY BLAZER WITH FOUR NAPS IN A ROW: Yes, he did it again yesterday! Rock Critic (WON 10-11) was Shamrock’s fourth winning nap in a row at the Galway festival. Here they are, with his best bets for today, the final day at Ballybrit, at the foot of the column:
* Wednesday 27 July: BLAZING TEMPO (WON 5-1)
* Thursday, 28 July: DAFFERN SEAL (WON 11-4)
* Friday 29 July: RAINFOREST MAGIC (WON 5-4)
* Saturday 30 July: ROCK CRITIC (WON 10-11)
It’s 18-1 or bust! Horses that run more than once during Galway week have a good record, and there are several with sound chances today, after running well earlier at the meeting: Sparkling Tara, King Of Redfield, Badger Or Bust (a tasty 19.0 on Betdaq this morning), Scotsirish, Banna Man and Lovers Peace.
2.50 Galway: Sparkling Tara’s narrow success at Limerick came over further and he’s 7lb higher here after a decent effort on Wednesday, when stablemate King Of Redfield was an also-ran.
Baby Whizz, Bean Chroi Bhriste and Benefitthewest are all winners in the last 16 days but I seriously think that the old boy Impersonator, who won the corresponding race in 2010, can score again. With one run back earlier this month, he’s clearly been aimed at the repeat: 9.6, as I write.
3.55 Galway: Badger Or Bust is a long-time bridesmaid but ran well here when badly drawn earlier in the week and, as a solid placer, has an each-way chance now, well installed in four.
It’s inevitable that we also have to back El Toreros, despite his draw, since he’s blinkered for the first time for Dermot Weld and has the featherweight among the three-year-olds, with a 5lb claimer up.
4.25 Galway: Banna Man won this last year off 112 (Truckers Delight third) and is 5lb higher now; as last year, he’d already been seen out at the festival, fourth in a hurdle on Tuesday.
Like Impersonator earlier, Banna Man is getting on in years but the stable has been doing well and I see no reason why he shouldn’t be placed.
Front-runner Dev will make this a tough test, and Salesin will be fighting to get his own way against Dev. It could let in stamina-packed Scotsirish, another returning for a second bite this week and the class horse of the race if on song.
5.25 Galway: How better to say goodbye to a superb Galway festival than with a Dermot Weld winner, Comedic Art, who has looked in need of this trip and doesn’t appear to have a lot to beat.
Well done, that man! Again. I’m sure Dermot is already planning next year’s Galway races, and I’m starting my own piggy bank for it right now.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Comedic Art (5.25 Galway)
NEXT BEST: Blasé Chevalier (5.55 Galway)
EACH-WAY: Impersonator (2.50 Galway), Badger Or Bust (3.55 Galway), Banna Man, Scotsirish (4.25 Galway).
DAQ TRIO: El Toreros (3.55 Galway), Comedic Art (5.25 Galway) and Blasé Chevalier (5.55 Galway)
