Galway Races Day 5

Guinness (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle (88-109) (4YO plus) (5.10) - A highly competitive handicap hurdle to open the card, made eve trickier by the weights starting at 11-5. Kallesham should go well but I can’t be having him under such a big weight even with the good apprentice on board. The vote goes to GOLDEN GRIMSHAW (each/way) as he may well have been let of the hook for his win last time.

Guinness 17:59 E.B.F. Auction Maiden (2YO only) (5.40) - The trio to concentrate on are When Not Iff, Macanor and KING OF THE RING (win), with the latter showing a lot of promise in a very good looking maiden on debut and thus, getting the pick.

Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (6.15) - An uninspiring handicap with the absence of the rapidly progressive Alpha Beat. CORRICK BRIDGE (each/way) might have been lined up for this race having needed the run last time out at Perth and with a clear round can hopefully reach the places or win. AH YA BOY YA (each/way) jumped for fun when making every yard of the running to strike at Kilbeggan last time and could well go close again.

Guinness Handicap (3YO plus) (6.50) - Vitruvian Man would be a huge contender if anything near his best, while Scandal Sheet could be handicapped to win if liking the trip, but NATURAL HIGH (win) , who has probably been kept fresh for this and looked a step ahead of the handicapped when fairly bolting up at Killarney last time. The next best is LE BOB BEAU (each/way), a progressive and likeable sort who has been running so well over 10 furlongs this season considering that he has been crying out for a trip and his form looks very strong with the short head winner of his last race (he was second) winning again.

Galway Publican's E.B.F. Maiden (3YO only) (7.25) - Aidan O'Brien has won the last two runnings of this race and, treble handed tonight (all runners look to have decent claims) he looks to have a decent chance again. The market support for FALCON FLIGHT (win) indicates that a decent run is expected and he’s taken to overcome the absence and win this. Sailors Warn will run well again, while Raffello Santi is the main danger as he comes from the yard to beat here, will be fit ad hols a fair level of form. Battleoftrafalgar could be improved by first time blinkers and the step up for the trip and with the in - form Joesph O’Brien riding, should not be underestimated. Quest For Gold has had his from boosted even though he was beaten into third at 9/10 last time, and could well get away from the if given an easy lead.

Arthur Guinness Handicap (50-70) (3YO only) (7.55) - SIMON BOLIVAR(each/way) has dropped to a career low mark, is getting some market support, and has bottom weight so gets the each/way vote in a race which doesn’t look that inspiring.

Guinness Race (4YO plus) (8.25) - An interesting end to the day, with plenty of useful looking horses around. Salute Him ran a stormer when fourth to Rainbow Peak in the Wolferton Handicap and won well last time here too, but he might find an upcoming one too good in MYRINE (win), who won by a distance last time out and is too big at 5/1 based on that, no matter how poor the form was.

EDIT: The tip is now SALUTE HIM in the last (because Myrine is a non - runner), and he looks to have an outstanding chance at 9/4.