Galway Betting: Day five previewed

005 Irish Racing / Editor / 01 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

John McDermott highlights the best bets on Day 5 of the Galway Festival.

It's the weekend, and thank God for that. Tuesday's tips went pretty well with two winners and two places, My Valley at 10/1 being the highlight. Something similar this evening would get the bank holiday weekend off to a good start.

Tom Foley's Ringned looks a great price at [13.0] to take the opening Guinness Handicap Hurdle. He has had a break since winning at Punchestown in May when he had seven lengths to spare over Kalellshan who subsequently won a week later when backed off the boards in a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan. There is a doubt about him going on the ground but backing for a win and place should show a profit.

• Recommended: Ringned for win and place

Thomas' Mullins filly Crystal Island put in an eye-catching performance when chasing home Ballydoyle's Gluteus Maximus at Leopardstown a week ago, and is taken to go one better this evening. This was a much improved performance from her first outing over six furlongs earlier in the month and further improvement should see her home in this moderate maiden. Raviti, Tatacoa, Wild Hawk and Dactik should all come on from their last runs which isn't great news for punters but I'll stick with Crystal Island at [2.9] to land the odds.

• Recommended: Crystal Island for win

Wishwillow Lord put in a sound performance behind Dbest at Punchestown in late May, but top weight may prove too much in this evening's Tom O'Malley Chase. Davenport Democrat had three lengths to spare over Irish Invader at Killarney two weeks ago and is sure to have his supporters at [2.5], but my preference is for Jessica Harrington's Lukie Victor. If a fall at Tipperary last time out hasn't dented his confidence, he looks like a horse on the up and a cut in the ground will help his chances.

• Recommended: Lukie Victor for win

Forthright held on for a short head win in the Guinness Handicap at last year's festival and has all the hallmarks of being laid out for back to back wins this evening. A recent fourth at Leopardstown shows a welcome return to form, and with Seamus Heffernan on board, he won't want for anything in a tight finish. The [7.6] currently on offer looks pretty generous in my view.

• Recommended: Forthright for win and place

The Galway Publicans Maiden has market leaders Matters At Hand and Mikhail Fokine trading at just better than evens and it's a toss up between the rest for third place - so this isn't one I'll be wading in on. Mikhail Fokine's second to Moiqen last October was quite a while ago but a performance of that nature would be enough this evening when he will be running on his own merits, and not pace making for higher profile Ballydoyle runners. The Weld factor will make Matters At Hand the likely favourite but I'd stick with Mikhail Fortune to be well prepared for this one.

• Recommended: Mikhail Fortune for win

The Stan Moore raider Zulu Princess should be suited by a cut in the ground in the wide-open Arthur Guinness Handicap. The Hawk Wing filly was successful on soft ground at Chepstow earlier in July and finished a close fourth to some useful types at Windsor two weeks ago. Suitable ground, ideal trip and Mick Kinane makes good sense at [6.8].

• Recommended: Zulu Princess for win

Alarazi is an unadventurous choice to land the last race of the evening, the St. James Gate Race. He receives weight from market rivals despite being rated at 105, and has been campaigning at a much higher level than this. He should be experienced enough to handle the track and yielding ground doesn't pose any fears.

• Recommended: Alarazi for win