UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

THE VERY MAN is on a roll and may complete a four-timer. After a couple of wins in March, he came back after the resumption of racing to beat stablemate Recent Revelations at Roscommon. He's ground versatile, can race handily and stays further so has plenty going for him. Getaway Gorgeous had subsequent Kilbeggan winner My Midnight half a length away when winning at Wexford in March, and can confirm the form and improve further. With A Start ran well on the Flat before winning on hurdles debut at Gowran, and both he and and Roscommon scorer Telmesomethinggirl will have to step up a good bit to win this.
Prediction : 1st The Very Man 2nd With A Start 3rd Getaway Gorgeous

Down at the foot of the weights, MILLYINTHEMIDDLE appeals as one who can take a big step forward at a meeting that is always targeted by horses in these colours. Emmet Mullins' charge is 4lbs out of the handicap but shaped nicely when fifth in her first handicap at Kilbeggan (fourth home Gone Racing won at the weekend). Upgraded won here on the Flat at last year's Festival, and is very much respected even off a 12lbs higher mark after a comfortable victory at Bellewstown. Two Shoe Tom could be on a nice mark after last week's Ballinrobe maiden win, while Jazzaway and She Tops The Lot are respected last-time-out winners from powerful yards. Barrington Court won a useful conditions event at Tipperary and is not ruled out despite top weight.
Prediction : 1st Millyinthemiddle 2nd Upgraded 3rd Two Shoe Tom

KAATSKILL NAP has obviously been a hard horse to train with several long absences punctuating his career. A winner on the Flat in Britain off 83 back in 2016, he had three placed efforts in maiden hurdles two years ago. He wasn't great over his obstacles in those outings, but it's interesting that connections have persevered and he should be all the better for his run at the Curragh last month. Enjoy D'allen went close at Kilbeggan but needs to leave his latest run well behind. Dual bumper winner The Little Yank was highly tried over hurdles last season and should be a major player back in maiden company. Hand In My Pocket, who won a bumper nicely at Bellewstown, and Talk Of The Town, who beat a better-fancied stablemate in a Kilbeggan bumper, are two hurdling debutantes to consider.
Prediction : 1st Kaatskill Nap 2nd Enjoy Dallen 3rd The Little Yank

It's 34 years since Jim Ennis' colours were carried to success by Rushmoor in the Galway Hurdle and he has an interesting contender here in French import BON RETOUR. The Fame And Glory mare failed to win for Francois Cottin but she had a couple of placed efforts around Auteuil, including when last seen in October. She could be on a good mark here on her first start for Willie Mullins. Pilbara overcame a 20lbs hike in the ratings when winning at Cork on Friday and is a huge player again, but he's obviously used up a lot of what he had in hand of the handicapper. Abraham has improved a lot since switching yards this year and is respected, while Bold Enough won a maiden hurdle nicely at Tipperary and should be very competitive off his initial mark. Harvest Bow, off a feather-weight, will like the step-up in trip and can get involved under a very good 7lbs claimer.
Prediction : 1st Bon Retour 2nd Pilbara 3rd Abraham

PEREGRINE RUN, who was fourth in this last year, would have a major say on decent ground, which he may just get as the National Hunt course is good to yielding at the time of writing and dry weather is forecast. Peter Fahey's stable star has won 17 races in his career including 10 over fences. He is well prepared for this having landed a Grade 3 steeplechase in Killarney, before finishing third in a qualified riders' maiden at the same track this month. He is a good jumper who was beaten four lengths in this feature last year. He can get in the mix on ground that won't be as suitable to many of his rivals. Easy Game is inexperienced over fences, but looks to have plenty of ability in this sphere. After winning his beginners' chase in Leopardstown, he was a more than creditable runner-up to Faugheen in a Grade One novice chase at the same track. He fell when last seen in the Grade One RSA at the Cheltenham Festival, but is sure to have done plenty of homework for this. It's not hard to see him getting involved. He won a novice hurdle on his sole visit to Ballybrit. Three Musketeers is a threat down towards the bottom of the weights. He just failed by the minimum margin in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan after a strong finish, and the 4lb that the handicapper has given him is more than offset by Conor McNamara's 5lb claim. Elliott's The Storyteller and Galvin have plenty of form to recommend their chances.
Prediction : 1st Peregrine Run 2nd Easy Game 3rd Three Musketeers

Paul Nolan was eyeing the Galway Plate for QUAMINO after he comfortably won a handicap hurdle at Roscommon in June. When you look at the races he has been contesting over fences, he could certainly do damage off a mark of 134. He has been on a diet of Grade B and Grade A handicap chases and, indeed, took second in a Grade B novice handicap chase at Fairyhouse in April 2019. Drying ground in Ballybrit will be very much in his favour. Thecraicisninety is likely to put in a good shift from the front. He will appreciate nice ground which will allow him to get into a good rhythm. A runner-up berth in Kilbeggan at the end of last month was a more than satisfactory performance, as he had been off since October. That will have blown away the cobwebs, so he is a significant danger.
Prediction : 1st Quamino 2nd Thecraicisninety 3rd Avenir DUne Vie

SHEWEARSITWELL is of obvious interest as the champion trainer's representative. The Shirocco mare makes her debut, and is related to a couple of multiple winners including Wenyerreadyfreddie who has won three times for Nicky Henderson. Glan went off favourite on debut for a Fairyhouse bumper on heavy ground in December, but dropped out of contention and finished seventh. There should be much more to come from her. More Info has four placed runs in bumpers. Her more recent efforts in maiden hurdles have seen her beaten a fair away albeit she finished fourth in Roscommon and second in Kilbeggan. She ought to make her presence felt.
Prediction : 1st Shewearsitwell 2nd Glan 3rd More Info

MAHONS GLORY was runner-up to a highly thought of sort on debut at Thurles and could go one better. There was a lot to like about that opening effort, and the son of Fame And Glory is a big player with improvement expected. Willie Mullins' newcomer Zuma Rock is a half sister to plenty of winners including seven-time winner Lagostovegas who won the staying Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot for Mullins. She is greatly feared. Jessica Harrington's Mighty Meggsie is worth a market check on her first start. Similar sentiments apply to Gordon Elliott's Not What It Seems as he starts out on his career. Elliott also runs Weseekhimhere who went off favourite on debut at Roscommon, but was eased after getting tight for room when a move up the inner after the home bend didn't work out. He is on a recovery mission here, and is likely to be right in the mix at the business end.
Prediction : 1st Mahons Glory 2nd Not What It Seems 3rd Zuma Rock