4.50 Galway – Gale Mahler (Each Way)
British trained novice hurdlers don’t usually fare well when they take on the Irish, but I think Gale Mahler could change that. This race doesn’t set a high standard, and the five-year-old mare is unbeaten after three hurdles starts. Each time she’s looked impressive, and some of her form really stacks up, which can’t be said about a few of these. We also know she stays further, and the stiff turning nature of the home straight should probably suit her. I think she’s going under the radar here.
5.25 Galway – Caesar Rock (Each Way)
I have doubts about a few of the market leaders when it comes to their jumping, as some of them are prone to making the occasional error. That’s why I am going to go for Caesar Rock for Mouse Morris. He has more experience over fences than some of these, and his recent effort when he finished second at Wexford was a good run. Furthermore, he likes to go on and make the running. If Ricky Doyle does decide to ride him forward, then he might be able to stretch the opposition, which could make him hard to catch.
6.00 Galway – Bubbling (Win)
Bubbling just about makes the most appeal in this field. She shaped with plenty of encouragement when she finished fourth on her racecourse debut at Leopardstown earlier this month. Aidan O’Brien’s juveniles tend to improve from their first to their second, and they won with a similar type yesterday. I think she’s the one they’ve got to beat.
6.40 Galway – No Knee Never (Win)
There isn’t really a high standard to go on in this race, but perhaps No Knee Never could be the answer. He’s run with promise on a couple of occasions, and his third at Gowran Park two starts ago is probably up there with the best form on offer. With a good draw in Stall 2, I expect him to go close.
7.10 Galway – Earls (Each Way)
This is a very competitive renewal, but I am just going to side with Earls for Gavin Cromwell. He’s arguably been in the best form of his life this year, winning well at Haydock and placing in some hot handicaps. The seven-year-old gelding is drawn in Stall 13, but that’s no bad thing. Being drawn low has proven to be a killer, as all the recent winners had double-digit stalls. They are likely to go hard and fast in this race, which might set it up for the closers, and that will suit Earls running style.
7.45 Galway – Spanish Tenor (Each Way)
Adrian McGuinness likes to have winners at Galway, and I am pretty sure Spanish Tenor would have been lined up for this. Though he hasn’t won here, the 10-year-old gelding has placed on many occasions, which included a good fourth in this race last year. This time around he arrives here off a 5lb lower mark, and Cian Redmond is able to claim a handy 5lb. With the first cheekpieces applied, he shouldn’t be discounted.
8.15 Galway – Rampage (Each Way)
This isn’t an easy closer, but I thought Rampage had a very good chance of being in the mix. He hinted at a return to form last time out when he finished third at Bellewstown and suggested he was being aimed for Galway. Last season he off a 2lb lower mark, but he has shown he’s capable of running off higher marks. Moreover, he’s developed a good relationship with James Ryan, who won on him at this venue last year. I would be disappointed if he couldn’t get competitive.