UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

DAWN RISING is an absolutely fascinating runner. He is a brother of former Irish Derby winner Sovereign. He won a Limerick maiden for Aidan O'Brien before finishing runner-up in a Group 3 at Newmarket more than two years ago. The six-year-old has switched to Joseph O'Brien for his jumping debut and holds an entry in the Irish St Leger. He clearly has plenty of talent. Country Queen was plenty green in a Bellewstown bumper, but still scooted in by three lengths. There should be more to come from her over flights. Champ Kiely has been off for well over a year since winning a bumper in Limerick, but that isn't much of a concern coming from the champion trainer's stable. He's certainly respected on hurdling debut. Esperti and Misty's Gift have a shot at prize money.
Prediction : 1st Dawn Rising 2nd Country Queen 3rd Champ Kiely

Mayo National winner ROCK ROAD appeals in this handicap hurdle. He was an emphatic winner of that Grade B handicap chase in Ballinrobe on his penultimate start, and was just outstayed over an extended 3m in a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle this month. The drop back in trip looks ideal. San Salvador should be primed for this after a satisfactory prep run when second on the Flat at Ballinrobe last week. He is a former Listowel maiden hurdle winner who then was two lengths clear at the last when falling in a Grade 3 at Tipperary in October. First-reserve Noble Birth would be a significant threat if getting a run. His confidence has been boosted after an easy win over flights in Perth. The consistent Wild Hunt is returning from a break and has prospects. Shoot First was a comfortable winner of a Tipperary maiden hurdle last month, so will be on plenty of shortlists.
Prediction : 1st Rock Road 2nd San Salvador 3rd Wild Hunt

Willie Mullins' PURPLE MOUNTAIN could make a winning return. She was last seen down the field in a Grade A handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in November. Her form more than stacks up, though, as she is a Grade 3 winner over flights and landed her maiden hurdle at this track. Interestingly, she has a entry in an 80,000-euro handicap hurdle later on in the week at Galway. Gordon Elliott's Return To Base is in the 'could be anything' category after running away with a Punchestown maiden hurdle by nine lengths in May. That was only her second start, and it was a slowly-run affair, but it was undoubtedly impressive. Elliott's Shesadream has been freshened up after being beaten into third at odds on in Kilbeggan last month. Prior to that, she was successful in Limerick and Down Royal. Hophornbeam has been in good form for Elliott in garnering two victories and a runner-up berth. Rebel Rose got off the mark in a Ballinrobe maiden hurdle and gets first-time cheekpieces. She has a role to play. Top-weight Lunar Display is far from out of it.
Prediction : 1st Purple Mountain 2nd Return To Base 3rd Shesadream

Classy on the Flat and over hurdles, CAPE GENTLEMAN lacks experience over the larger obstacles but his young handler is a superb target trainer and, if avoiding serious errors on the way around, the Champs Elysees gelding has the talent to go close. Having won his first two starts over fences, he wasn't disgraced behind smart novice Riviere D'etel when trying to give her plenty of weight and then tipped up when fancied for the Drinmore in November. His absence since is no concern and last year's fine third in the Galway Hurdle shows that this track holds no fears for him. Emmet Mullins also has last year's fourth The Shunter who, along with last year's in-form runner-up Easy Games, has to be respected as well. It's 1990 since a five-year-old won this but Hurricane Georgie was impressive in the Midlands National and it's not hard to envisage her finishing well on the long run-in. Discordantly has a C&D win to his name and could go well at a price having been second to last year's Plate winner at the Punchestown Festival.
Prediction : 1st Cape Gentleman 2nd Hurricane Georgie 3rd Discordantly

HALLOWED STAR won over hurdles at last year's festival and has every chance of another Galway win. The seven-year-old has been runner-up in two of his three Flat starts and will be suited by stepping back up in trip after solid efforts over 1m2f this term. Obviously having Patrick Mullins on board is a great help to his chances. Comfort Zone is rated a few pounds higher than the selection and was second to a useful type when last seen at Gowran in October. His stamina will be tested here as he goes further than a mile for the first time. Merlin Giant had some decent runs in maidens last year and gives the selection's owners a strong hand. The well-bred Porthos and Mighty Mo Missouri are interesting newcomers but will need to show a fair level of ability to take this without prior experience.
Prediction : 1st Hallowed Star 2nd Comfort Zone 3rd Merlin Giant

MISTER WILSON is a hardy sort who won over the course last back-end. After a very good run behind a subsequent Group 3 winner at Naas, he left behind a moderate effort at Haydock when second over 1m2f at Roscommon. That trip may have stretched his stamina and a stiff mile should be just about right. Joe Masseria has twice finished behind the selection this year but got a lot closer when fourth at Roscommon and he should also be suited by dropping back in trip. Inchiquin Star didn't land a blow last time but her previous handicap form this season is solid and, if blinkers do the trick, she's capable of a big run. Dairerin kept on well to win over 7f here on Monday and has a mandatory penalty to shoulder. He has another furlong and a half to travel this time but certainly gives the impression that he'll stay.
Prediction : 1st Mister Wilson 2nd Joe Masseria 3rd Dairerin

A competitive event but there is no reason to desert UNANSWERED in his bid for a five-timer. Tony Martin's charge will relish the final climb up the hill and can defy a 7lb hike for his third Flat win of the season at Killarney. His last two wins on the level have been over 1m6f but this indolent sort, who finds loads off the bridle, promises to be even better over this trip. It's certainly the first time that Matthew Smith has run six in a race and last year's winner No Thanks may fare best of his contingent although Leopardstown winner La Hacienda also merits respect despite a poor draw. Dark Voyager is a previous festival winner and showed a revival in form when second over this trip at the Curragh last month. Blinkers seemed to perk him up on that occasion and are fitted again.
Prediction : 1st Unanswered 2nd No Thanks 3rd La Hacienda