Galway Races Day 2

Topaz Maiden Hurdle (5YO plus) (5.10) – A tricky contest to sort out as ever, with UNIVERSAL TRUTH (win pick) holding the best run in the field courtesy of his third in the Grade 1 Punchestown Bumper.

Latin Quarter Chase (5YO plus) (5.45) - *NATAL won this race last year and he has every chance of staging a follow up this afternoon. By far the highest rated in today's line-up, James Lambe's dual Grade 2 winner was far from disgraced in the Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival in April and a repeat of that form will suffice in this lesser company. Taken word from word from the ATR website, but it sums up my feel on the race.
Taken from www.attheraces.com

Topaz Handicap (55-80) (3YO plus) (6.20) - Dermot Weld’s EASY MATE (each/way) was amiss last time and given the competitive nature of the races here, wouldn’t be running unless he had a decent shot at things. The Ballydoyle horse DON LEONE (each/way) is improving as he steps up in trip, he showed good battling qualities to open his account at the fourth time of asking over 1m6f at Killarney earlier this month and he looks well treated off an initial mark of 80.

Topaz Mile E.B.F. Handicap (3YO plus) (7.00) - As competitive a renewal of this as ever and I’m inclined to go for 2 horses dropping out from group company. KARGALI has d actually won a Group 3 before coming a very respectable seventh in the Lockinge, and with a 5lbs claimer to help, he can make a mark. ASTATRI was a close second in the Rockfel Stakes as a 2 year old and has been tried too highly this year, so could make a mark here too. The favourite Musajef and Designated Decoy (if getting a run) make most appeal of the others.

caulfieldindustrial.com E.B.F. Fillies Maiden (2YO only) (7.35) - Hasty Katie, Praise Be, Zaminast and Bendzolen should all be there or thereabouts, but WHY (win) took my eye in a big way when staying on after a troubled passage (also came very wide) in a decent looking maiden at the Curragh and might just be able to take this.

Caulfield Industrial Athlone Handicap (55-80) (8.05) - NORTHERN ROCKED gets the vote to go one better in a tight but winnable race.

caulfieldindustrial.com E.B.F. Maiden (3YO only) - Purple Land should run his race again but I like the look of the Dermot Weld trained PARLOUR to be able to take this.