005 Irish Racing / Wayne Bailey / 30 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

Wayne Bailey marks your card as we approach the halfway stage of the weeklong festival.

1:50 - William Hill In Ireland Novice Hurdle

I've a real dilemma in the first race of the day, and I simply can't separate two contenders. Go Native won a very tricky maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan recently, and looks sure to improve, while the booking of Ruby Walsh is a big boost for The God Of Love, a decent performer on the flat, and just as good over hurdles. In this case, we've two choices - we can leave the race alone, or dutch both horses for a short price. I prefer the latter option, and will have both running for me in the opener.

Advice: Dutch Go Native and The God Of Love.

2:25 - williamhill.ie Handicap Hurdle

Tony Martin's Top Of The Charts heads the weights here in a difficult looking race. It's hard to know what to make of this horse, and he showed some promise recently over fences and also on the flat. You never know what Martin has in mind in a handicap race, and I'm leaving this alone. Shindig seems treated well by the handicapper considering he's had a number of promising runs to date, and won a maiden last time out with considerable ease. It'll be interesting to watch the market and see where the money goes, but I'll be sitting this one out.

Advice: No Bet.

3:00 - William Hill 1800 333 555 Handicap

Dermot Weld can do no wrong at Galway, and Directa King gets a token vote to place in another tricky handicap. He's been lightly raced to date, and at 9st 6lbs, his weight seems about right. Charlie Swan's Cloone River looks the big danger, but I'm keeping stakes to a minimum here.

Advice: Back Directa King to place (small stakes).

3:40 - William Hill Galway Plate Handicap Chase (Grade A)

It's great to see some of the big English trainers take Galway very seriously, and Paul Nicholls can raid the prize for the UK with Oslot. Nicholls has a good knack at finding good French horses, and Oslot is definitely on the up and up. Ansar has been around forever and is sure to give me nightmares, so I'm covering my stake by backing that horse in the place market.

Advice: Back Oslot to win, and Ansar to place.

4:25 - williamhillcasino.com Handicap

Ready To Tap may go off at a very big price considering his recent Leopardstown performance when coming second last, but I believe that people are over-reacting to that run. He looked uncomfortable, and never settled on the day. Graceful Star should come in for a lot of support, but I think this race is wide open, so am willing to take a chance on the outsider to place instead.

Advice: Back Ready To Tap to place.

5:00 - William Hill Irish Sports Book 2008 (Q.R.) Maiden

A maiden race with hardly any form - just the kind of race to deplete the betting pot. If a gun were put to my head, I'd say that Otterstown Lady is in with a decent chance. Thankfully, there's no one around with a gun right now, so I'm leaving this race alone.

Advice: No Bet

5:35 - williamhillpoker.com Handicap

It's hard to separate Weld's Redwater River, and O'Mara's Master Marvel, but the latter's experience can see him through. After a shaky start, he's come back to form this season and should return to winning ways some time soon. Redwater River has been thereabouts a number of times, and should come close.

Advice: Back Master Marvel.

6:05 - williamhillarcade.com Maiden

Designated Decoy covered loads of ground to come second at Fairyhouse recently and can handle the step up in distance no problem. I'm placing my bet early, as Dermot Weld's horses always get backed in - especially in the last race of the day! Amarama is a horse I've stuck in my notebook as one to watch and she is sure to put up a big fight.

Advice: Back Designated Decoy to win, and Amarama to place.

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