Galway Races Day 1

Hotelmeyrick.ie & The Ghotel.ie Novice Hurdle (5.10) – A tricky race to start the festival off. In this grade, there is plenty to like about FINGAL ROCK, her one disappointment having come in the Grade 1 Champion Four Year Old Hurdle during the Punchestown Festival, although she was still in contention when falling at the third last. Her Grade 3 win sets a pretty good standard, and she is 2lbs better off with Jerry’s Agent for a rather disappointing reverse last time. JERRY’S AGENT is the suggested each/way pick. Cabaret Sauvignon has finished in the first two on each of his last five starts (two wins), while Hail Cesar should hold Suffferen again based on his win last time out.

Picks: Fingal Rock (win) , Jerry’s Agent (each/way)

Jurysinn.com Handicap Hurdle (81-123) (5.45) - A ridiculously tricky handicap, where the shortlist contains 5 last time out winners, in the shape of Split Ear, Cylindar Rattler, Fearnwood Girl, Banna Man and Mojito Royale. First choice is for CYLINDAR RATTLER, who comes here looking to land the hat-trick following recent victories at Wexford. He scored with a little in hand over this trip last time out, the form has worked out and he’s still on an OK mark. FEARNWOOD GIRL gets the second vote seeing as he should be unexposed enough to take a hand, having stepped out of Novice company (having also had the form of his last win boosted).

Picks: Cylindar Rattler (each/way), Fearnwood Girl (each/way)

Claregalwayhotel.ie (C & G) E.B.F. Maiden (6.20) - A Word Apart will be well supported given his stable connections and pleasing first run, but in my mind ALEXANDER POPE may have achieved more when third behind Jackaroo and Eskimo on debut, and on a line through Sydney Harbour, has the beating of A Word Apart. Robin Hood did well when second last time out being unlucky to run into a very smart debutant, and the 7lbs that Joesph O’Brien takes off could make all the difference. Tasqueel was ahead of Robin Hood on debut but Robin Hood may have improved past him.

Pick: Alexander Pope (each/way)

carlton.ie/galwaycity (Q.R.) Handicap (70-100) (7.00) - This looks a highly competitive affair and a case can be a made for a number of runners. SUBLIME TALENT is on the upgrade all the timeand looks set for antoher big run here, and the same can be said for ADMIRAL BARRY.

Picks: Sublime Talent (win), Admiral Barry (each/way)

galwaybayhotel.com and radissonhotelgalway.com Handicap (50-75) (7.35) - This might be the best chance yet for MUTAMLEQ, who returns to 7f following a spin over 1m at Naas and this should be to his advantage.

Pick: Mutamaleq (win)

ghotel.ie & HotelMeyrick.ie Handicap (60-900 (8.05) - A very widely spread out handicap, which shouldn’t take all that much winning, so the pick is LA CHASSOTTE to give away the weight, as she comes here in fantastic form having landed a four-timer recently.

Pick: La Chassote (win)

irelandhotels.com Flat Race (4YO to 7YO) (8.35) - Going for the usual suspects here. Art Major should go well but the absence won’t d him any good and I think that a stronger formline goes through Double Double. Fort Defiance is likely to be favourite but MAYFLY got a lot closer giving away less weight and he can go well here.

Pick: Mayfly (win)