Galway Festival: Day one betting preview

005 Irish Racing / Johnny Ward / 28 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

Johnny Ward goes through the card for the opening day of the big Irish racing festival

It is very much a marathon rather than a sprint at Galway, and the competitive nature of the festival is the theme on the opening night.

They begin with a very interesting GPT Sligo Novice Hurdle, in which Pillar Of Hercules is the clear pick on ratings and in a general sense, with Ruby Walsh booked. The Rock Of Gibraltar-bred is getting better over hurdles and the hill ought not bother him. He is a little long at [4.1] approx.

Jewel Of The West looks the biggest danger and holds Tetuan. Negus is potentially most interesting of the rest, but he can be a bit keen and that is a concern around this stiff track. Audit won a poor maiden last time in Sligo but has an each-way chance and is open to improvement.

Stage Manager (Nap), in the GPT Dublin Handicap Hurdle, could be the lock of the evening for Ruby and Tony Martin, having gone off 7-2 in what looked a stronger event last time in Killarney. He is about the same price as Pillar Of Hercules and still appeals as a well-treated runner for a trainer who is extremely adept at improving handicap hurdlers. Perhaps he will be best over two-and-a-half miles but the uphill finish thus plays to his strengths over two miles.

Silent Wind is a rogue and this is no track for tail-flashers, whereas Dani's Girl barely gets two miles and Down Royal - where she got off the mark over hurdles - suited her in that regard. Caravino could be better than his revised mark but this is much tougher than the Tipperary event he won earlier this month. I am a little concerned that Paul Nolan has booked a seven-pound claimer for Mudslinger, who is easily the most tempting of the each-way options at longer odds.

Dermot Weld's reputation precedes him with regard to the PGT Access Equipment (C & G) EBF Maiden, though he still runs his better horses in this and Broad Meaning has to be feared after a promising Leopardstown introduction. Yet at [2.0] he is more of a lay than a bet and the bang-in-form Ballydoyle provide a viable alternative in Drumbeat, a lovely son of Montjeu who surely floundered on horrible ground last time at Roscommon, having previously illustrated considerable promise at The Curragh. He is a nice price at [3.5] as nothing else with form has any apparent chance and John Oxx's newcomer Zarinski would have to be Group class to win this first-time out.

The feature GPT (QR) Handicap is a tough race for punters. P'tit Fute has to be monitored in the ring as a previous victor in the race and last-time-out winner, but Davorin looks value at [20.0] under the polished Kevin Power. He is a talented sort who warmed up for this with a nice run at The Curragh.

Majestic Concorde puts his Galway Hurdle credentials on the line and, almost certain to be fitter after his Killarney win and liable to be suited by this extra two furlongs, his chance for Rosewell House is quite obvious. Arc Bleu is another with claims.

The GPT Cork Handicap will appeal to ratings anoraks: they will consider First In Command first-past-the-post before they even leave the gates. There was no fluke about his Naas maiden win last week and the penalty accrued leaves him well-in, but the form of the race ought to be treated cautiously. Be Fantastic showed more last time and appeals as a horse weighed to go close now for the in-form Ger Lyons at about [16.0].

The GPT Van & Truck Rentals Handicap sees 'DK' have yet another strongly-fancied runner in Ghimaar; however, despite his attractive profile and solid Royal Ascot run, he can be opposed by backing Slan Abhaile, who gets off lightly after a Leopardstown win. On pedigree, she wants at least 12 furlongs, so winning at Foxrock over ten furlongs was most creditable. She is a decent price at [5.7].

They finish up for day one in the GPY Waterford INH Flat Race, and Ballynanty Point is a tentative selection. Well-regarded, he can show the benefit from a fair rules debut at Killarney and this is not an ultra-strong race for the venue. Play small stakes at [8.6].