It is Adrian Wall’s favourite week of the year, it is Galway Festival week. He has a tip for every race on the card on Tuesday and some of them are going to be very big prices indeed!
Emilie Gray sets the standard but has looked vulnerable and could be too short here so a chance is taken with Captain Harley. The gelding ran well on debut at Cork when sixth of the 14 runners and should appreciate this stiffer test over further while he also has the dream draw in one.
Buenaventura is a well bred Caravaggio filly who was very green on debut when last of the six runners at Gowran Park last month. It would be a surprise if she didn’t show a lot more now given connections so a bold bid is expected.
Top weight Lustown Baba might have a tough task on her hands on these terms but she is a classy operator at her best and the forecast rain will really suit her. She won a Curragh handicap over 6f by over seven lengths on soft last October before winning a Listed race at the same track right after. She could be tough to beat if the ground is right for her.
Ado McGuinness always has a strong hand in the Galway handicaps and last year’s winner Saltonstall could be up to the job again. He won this race off 96 last year so is now 9lb higher which makes life tough but there is no doubt that he has been trained with this race in mind and he is a tentative selection.
The Blue Panther doesn’t have an easy task coming from the widest stall of all but if given a patient ride by Sam Ewing he may pick up the pieces late on and run into a place. He bolted up at Sligo last month and ran better than the bare result would suggest at Naas latest. Not a forlorn chance here.
Facethepuckout can be difficult to win with but Kevin Manning is an eye-catching booking aboard Leanne Breen’s runner. He ran well at Listowel on similar ground off 4lb higher last month and was a close-up 3rd here at the Festival off 82 last year and is now 13lb lower so the handicapper has given him every chance.
The hat-trick seeking Dance Emperor is in the form of his life at present and proved he is still miles ahead of the handicapper when bolting up again at Gowran Park last week. The hold up horse will need a bit of luck in running but it could take a good one to stop him in his tracks at present and the Galway hill will suit.
Dark Heart was having his first run for James Nash since leaving Mark Johnston when down the field at Killarney latest. Sent off at odds of 125-1, he was far from disgraced beaten just six lengths and we might see a much better performance now with that run under his belt from 1lb lower.
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