Galway Day 4

1.50 Beginners Chase (22.5F)

A trappy little race where quite a number of the field can be safely discounted. As De Ferbet will doubtless be popular given the success that Willie Mullins has enjoyed in the opening races during the previous three days. However, he has already been beaten three times at very short odds, including over this trip last time out, so he is clearly not one of his top trainer's leading lights yet.

Tiger Bay Lady is obviously a bit of a madam given her antics at the start on her penultimate run, but she was very well backed that day when she refused to race, so a big run must have been expected. She subsequently finished a good third behind today's favourite on  her last run. The drying ground should suit this daughter of Flemensfirth and she could be value at 12/1. Clondaw Farmer also makes the shortlist, but he has to overcome an absence and is overlooked.

Selection: Tiger Bay Lady 12/1 (e/w)

2.20 Novice Chase (18F)

Impressive Limerick winner (17F good) Sizing Platinum should put it up to the favourite Rock The World here, and at his current odds of 7/2, in comparison to the jolly at 5/4, he is definitely worth considering. De Bromhead's horses are evidently in super form, he had the winner and fourth in the big race yesterday, and Johnny Burke's confidence will be sky high.

Selection: Sizing Platinum 7/2.

3.00 Flat Handicap (8F)

Sophies World ran well on her last flat outing behind Aussie Valentine at Leopardstown over this sort of trip, and has been kept ticking over since with a couple of runs over timber. She returns to the level off just a pound higher mark. She won here last year off 5lb lower, and is entitled to maximum respect in her bid to repeat the trick.
Sadlers Mark is extremely well treated on his old form, but this is his second run back after another long absence (only four runs since 2013) and the bounce factor has to be a worry. If he is back to something like his best though he is weighted to run well.

Selections: Sophies World(nb) 8/1        Long Shot: Sadlers Mark 22/1 e/w

3.30 Fillies And Mares Listed Race (7F)

A good quality affair, and Dermot Weld has the favourite Tested, who is currently priced up at 15/8. She has showed massive promise on  a few occasions, and went close in a Group 3 (7F good to firm) at Leopardstown on her seasonal return. She was desperately disappointing on her last run, a Listed contest at The Curragh (6F good), but she looks worth another chance today at her trainer's favourite track and back at 7F.  15/8 looks a fair price and she should go close.

At a much bigger price Akira could go well. She has run with credit on numerous occasions at Listed and Group 3 level, and got to within a length of Brooch over this sort of trip on good ground at Kilbeggan last year (Colour Blue behind). She made a perfectly respectable reappearance in a Listed contest at Killarney a couple of weeks back, and that should have put her spot on for this. She could run a huge race at 16/1.

Selections: Tested 15/8.         Long Shot: Akira 16/1.

4.05 Novice Hurdle (20F)

Mullins and Walsh again provide the favourite here with Gangster. He is odds on to follow up his win last time out and is sure to be popular with punters. Sandymount Duke takes a step up in class but he has been progressing at a rate of knots and it will be interesting to see how he fares at this higher level.

 At bigger odds Full Cry looked a useful animal on his rules debut at Clonmel (20F good) when he beat subsequent winner Theatre Flame, and the manner in which he did it suggested there is a lot more to come. His yard is flying and at odds of 12/1 he could give the favourite a fright.

Selection: Full Cry 12/1 (e/w)

4.45 Galway Hurdle Grade A Handicap (16F)

Quick Jack is the current favourite for Tony Martin, and this high class dual performer has to be near the top of any shortlist. He carries a feather weight and has obviously been kept fresh since his gallant effort at Chester on the level back in may. His third to Wicklow Brave on his last hurdling run at Cheltenham when the ground was plenty soft for him was a fine effort too, and with the patient and stylish O'Regan doing the steering he should be travelling well at the business end. The drying ground will suit too.
At a bigger price I like Max Dynamite, who will be ridden by the hugely promising David Mullins, who is massive value for his 3lb claim. This horse has flattered to deceive on occasion, but he produced an outstanding effort in the Northumberland Plate, and it is interesting that connections have opted to come here rather than targeting the flat staying handicaps across the water. He is another that carries a feather weight, and if he can reproduce his flat form he should be bang there at the finish and looks well worth supporting each way.

Selections: Quick Jack 6/1. Max Dynamite 16/1 (e/w).

5.25 Flat Handicap (11.5F)

Bog War made hay off a lowly rating over timber with three quick wins in the Spring. He improved almost 30lbs during that run, going from 88 to 115, and his flat mark of 63 looks like one he could be well capable of exploiting.
 Magic Kitten for Weld and Smullen lurks at the foot of the handicap and is a danger to all. This colt won at 20/1 on his handicap debut, and though he was on my radar due to his pedigree I didn't back him as I thought heavy ground would be no good for him. He is a full brother to some very useful American performers who all relished decent ground, so today's conditions will be right up his street. He is a confident selection off his lowly mark of 61.

Selection: Magic Kitten (NAP) 5/1


6.00 Bumper (18.5F)

No opinion on this one. Watch and enjoy.