UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

Willie Mullins has won four of the last seven renewals of this Listed contest and his Tax For Max is likely to be popular. He is top rated on 134 and arrives on the back of a breakthrough success in a Punchestown maiden hurdle. He had been racing keenly in good company, but that success should bring him on. Preference is for PRAIRIE DANCER, though. He is doing connections proud with two Flat victories in addition to three over flights. He has been enjoying himself out in front and it was no mean effort to win at Bellewstown under a double penalty. He's a tough, ground-versatile sort. He is unlikely to get his own way in front as I Don't Get It likes to go off very quickly, but he can take a tow off him. Elle Perfecta was impressive over further in Bellewstown while Roscommon maiden hurdle winner Amir Kabir adds further spice to the mix.
Prediction : 1st Prairie Dancer 2nd Tax For Max 3rd Elle Perfecta

MIDNIGHT RUN showed the benefit of more than six months off as he strengthened up to win on the Flat at Ballinrobe last week and could be a different proposition over fences now. He was placed in one of his three beginners' chases before being pitched into the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse in November where he fell. That shows the regard he is held in. He powered away to win by five lengths in Ballinrobe which should set him up nicely for this assignment. He enjoyed this track when winning his bumper on debut. He has a Grade 3 entry over fences for later on in the week at the festival. Jon Snow has to be respected on chasing debut. He was more than decent over hurdles winning three times, including at this venue, and represents powerful connections. Hannon has more to offer over fences after a runner-up berth at Wexford.
Prediction : 1st Midnight Run 2nd Jon Snow 3rd Hannon

Eyes were always drawn to what Dermot Weld would run as this was a race he used to farm. Incredibly, he has landed it 14 times in the last 32 years. In more recent times, Aidan O'Brien has really come to the fore as he has won six of the last 13 renewals. The pair are both represented and it may pay to side with Weld's newcomer TAHIYRA. This Siyouni filly is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 and Grade 1 winning Tarnawa. Tahiyra holds an entry in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. O'Brien's Dower House holds the same Moyglare entry. She should be all the better from an opening sixth at the Curragh. She is a full-sister to the mighty Churchill who was a double 2,000 Guineas winner. Joseph O'Brien introduces U S Navy Flag filly Remind who is worth keeping an eye on in the market.
Prediction : 1st Tahiyra 2nd Dower House 3rd Remind

Ado McGuinness is going for four in a row in this premier handicap. He holds a very strong hand with eight runners. His Casanova catches the eye with Adam Caffrey taking 7lb off his back. The pair were placed in the Irish Lincoln at the Curragh and in a premier handicap at Leopardstown earlier in the month. Stall 21 is less than kind, but they should be a factor. It hasn't quite happened for PATRICK SARSFIELD this season, but it isn't hard to see a return to form. He is coming down the weights and dips into handicap company with Jake Coen claiming 5lb. He has each-way claims. Fastnet Crown got his reward in the Curragh and is dangerous off 5lb higher. Cowboy Justice, Saltonstall (who won this in 2019 and 2020 for McGuinness) and Mosala will all have their supporters and rightly so.
Prediction : 1st Patrick Sarsfield 2nd Casanova 3rd Fastnet Crown

The 81-rated KARAKOUL can get off the mark. Johnny Murtagh's Fast Company gelding has been out four times and the undoubted best piece of form he has posted was a neck second to subsequent Irish Derby runner-up Piz Badile in a maiden at Killarney last summer. You would think there is a maiden in him. Dermot Weld has a very good record in this race and his Butterfly Island ought to be in the mix as she has been placed five times to date. Bobby Dassler showed improvement to finish second in a valuable nursery in Naas at the backend of last season. He is up in trip, and has the absence to overcome, but the market should be informative as to his prospects.
Prediction : 1st Karakoul 2nd Butterfly Island 3rd Bobby Dassler

Very competitive fare. The trip is a bit sharp for LOINGSEOIR, but there is no doubt that he is on a decent mark with Jack Cleary's 7lb claim factored in. It was three runs back that he was third in a much higher grade at the Curragh, and he was runner-up under Cleary at Roscommon on his last start. The uphill finish will make this more of a stamina test. He has an each-way chance. Dunum has been an absolute revelation for Natalia Lupini. Since switching to her stable, he has plundered three wins and is very much on a roll. This is a drop in trip and he is up another 6lb, however, another big run looks more than likely. Mean Fomhair looks threatening on the back of a runner-up berth at Tipperary. Midnight Fire could rebound from a below-par run in Leopardstown. Drombeg Duke and top-weight Shawaamekh are others with claims. Second-reserve My Minervina would have to be taken seriously if getting a run. She is on a hat-trick after victories at Bellewstown and Killarney.
Prediction : 1st Loingseoir 2nd Dunum 3rd Mean Fomhair

STAR OF CASHEL is sliding down the weights and signalled a return to form when fifth in a big field at the Curragh last month. That was in a slightly higher grade and he has been dropped a further 2lb. Adam Caffrey claims 7lb, so he is running off a mark of 63. It was only back in March that he finished mid-division in the Irish Lincoln off 81. Black Hawk Eagle should be well involved after three placed efforts in a row. Noel Meade's charge was runner-up in Gowran Park and Roscommon before coming in third at Limerick. Cleveleys is another arriving on the back of placed runs in Leopardstown and Naas. He has won off a higher mark before, so is certainly one to consider. Clear Quartz was in good form in May and, if the juice remains in the ground, is a contender.
Prediction : 1st Star Of Cashel 2nd Black Hawk Eagle 3rd Cleveleys