Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Monday including Galway Festival fancies and 16/1 pick

Galway, 18:10 - Back City Of Gold @ 10/34.33

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City Of Gold

• J: W. M. Lordan
• T: Aidan O'Brien, Ireland
• F: 5

• SBK 10/3
• EXC 1.55

Equipped with first-time cheekpieces in only his second career start, City Of Gold could put in an improved effort from his debut appearance as he steps up to 7f in this contest.

The Wootton Bassett colt, who fetched €400,000 as a yearling, is entitled to improve for his fifth-placed effort at Fairyhouse when things didn't pan out favourably for him. He didn't get a clear run on the rail and should fare better, particularly over this extra furlong.

Out of Listed-winning 1m1f performer Shamtee, the Aidan O'Brien-trained juvenile is from the family of Troy mare Helen Street, dam of Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry, as well as Helsinki, dam of Shamardal, and middle-distance winner Grecian Slipper, who produced three Stakes winners.

Representing a yard that recorded a 42 percent strike-rate with his juveniles last year at the track, a 39 percent win-rate in the last five years, and that has an all-time strike-rate of 30 percent here, with a noteworthy pedigree too, City Of Gold could be worth keeping the faith in and could pose a threat in this field.

Galway, 18:40 - Back Daddy Long Legs E/W @ 8/19.00

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Daddy Long Legs (Fr)

• J: Reserve
• T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland
• F: 3-92

• SBK 8/1
• EXC 8

Currently first reserve for the race, Daddy Long Legs is an interesting contender from a mark of 85 if lining up. He's unexposed in handicaps on the Flat but has shown plenty of ability over obstacles during his career and could be suited by this challenge.

A likeable performer, the Closutton contender has been running consistently well in recent months, winning over hurdles at Ballinrobe before finishing second twice, including in a Down Royal maiden over 1m5f.

There could be more to come from Daddy Long Legs in this sphere and he's one to note for Willie Mullins in this competitive contest.

Galway, 18:40 - Back Galileo Dame E/W @ 12/113.00

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Galileo Dame (Ire)

• J: Mr B. O'Neill
• T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland
• F: 2/000-2477

• SBK 12/1
• EXC 17.5

Likeable mare Galileo Dame has plenty of valuable experience in her favour as she heads into this race, including in tough, big field staying handicaps. She finished a length-and-a-half fourth to stablemate A Piece Of Heaven in the Chester Cup earlier this term from her current mark of 93, therefore should be able to make her presence felt in this field with a favourable trip. 

Although she wasn't seen to best effect in a Fairyhouse Group Three when last seen, the five-year-old mare had previously performed with credit at Royal Ascot when seventh in the Ascot Stakes. She's representing an in-form Joseph O'Brien yard and could be capable of a bold showing.

Windsor, 19:28 - Back Willem Twee E/W @ 16/117.00

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Willem Twee

• J: George Bass
• T: Denis Coakley
• F: 5630-0933

• SBK 16/1
• EXC 15.5

Making his first appearance for Denis Coakley, Willem Twee is one to note each-way in this 6f handicap. He's on a mark of 85 on the Turf, 6lb below his all-weather mark, having once been rated as high as 108 on an artificial surface.

Although most of his form is on the all-weather, he's two from five on the Turf, including when winning a handicap from a 7lb lower rating during his debut campaign, and could put in a bold bid in this race under George Bass.

Well treated at the weights at the best of his ability, Willem Twee has form in tougher races against talented opposition, and may be able to hold his own at double-figure odds on stable debut.

Bet of the day: Galway, 19:50 - Back Themis E/W @ 11/26.50

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Themis (Ire)

• J: D. B. McMonagle
• T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland
• F: 0-70911

• SBK 11/2
• EXC 1.1

In the penultimate race on the card on the opening day of the Galway Festival, an extended mile-and-a-half handicap for three-year-old runners, Joseph O'Brien-trained Themis makes appeal in the hands of champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.

The Sottsass filly featured only once as a juvenile last year, when finishing down the field in a Curragh contest won by talented filly Diamond Necklace.

Whilst it has taken her a few runs to get going this year, she has been in great form recently, winning both of her latest two outings by a combined distance of eight-and-a-quarter-lengths.

Upped 14lb for her latest win in handicap company, she faces a stiffer task at the weights this time around but remains unexposed and on an upward trajectory.

Out of mile-and-a-half winner War Goddess, a Champs Elysees mare who has also produced Ka Ying Generation, there are plenty of black-type achieving middle-distance performers in Themis' pedigree including Irish Oaks winner Wemyss Bight, and she could be capable of continuing her progression by landing a third successive victory for an in-form yard.

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