UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

FAKIERA is a 144-rated Grade 3-winning hurdler and while he disappointed on his only run last season, ran well at Limerick in May. That form is nothing outstanding and he hasn't raced since, but is likely to have been kept for this festival and will be suited by the extra distance, having run well in a Grade 1 hurdle at this trip. Chinx Of Light is a stayer who fell at Limerick but had previously run well on chase debut. A 137-rated dual hurdle winner, he ran well against experienced rivals in that Kilbeggan race and while falling just eight days ago wasn't ideal, is bred and has the size for chasing, ground-versatile and suited by this trip. Alfa Mix was two and a half lengths behind Chinx Of Light at Kilbeggan but has failed to win in 10 chase runs. Western Run, in cheekpieces, has 15 lengths to find with the selection on Limerick form. Captain Kangaroo is limited, while stablemate Rambranlt'jac needs to improve on hurdles form and fell on chase debut last November.
Prediction : 1st Fakiera 2nd Chinx Of Light 3rd Alfa Mix

SOLE PRETENDER is a Grade 3-winning hurdler who is unbeaten in two chases, ran well in the Grimes Hurdle and likes good ground. Capable and consistent, he was a little laboured in winning at Roscommon but nonetheless gave the runner-up 10lb and at Tipperary bumped into a smart, on-song mare. Ganapathi and Champagne Gold are closely matched on three previous hurdle meetings. Ganapathi has taken well to fences but faces a tougher task than when winning twice at Wexford, while Champagne Gold beat a subsequent winner at Wexford and receives 4lb from Willie Mullins' gelding. Call Me Lyreen didn't exactly power clear from inferior rivals when winning at Wexford in June and faces a stiffer task, but won a Grade B handicap hurdle over two miles in February. Visionarian won at Wexford but has a bit to find on hurdles form, while The Dara Man steps up from a Killarney handicap win. Connections of in-foal Mind Your Money will be hoping for a black-type placing.
Prediction : 1st Sole Pretender 2nd Ganapathi 3rd Champagne Gold

BIG BABY BULL is well drawn in 3 and the form of his Naas win received a boost by third-placed Dairerin winning on Monday. He is 6lb higher but was once rated 96 and in 2021 was dependable in these handicaps before recently returning to form. Sherkin Island won a maiden over course and distance at last year's festival. She was well held subsequently but shaped nicely at the Curragh last month and has a kind draw in stall 6. Aurora Princess infamously lined up for the wrong heat at last year's meet but has had a sight of the course and should be competitive. Plunkett and Ampeson are in top form but compete from career high marks. Eight-year-old, seven-time winner Takeachancejimmy is 6lb higher than when winning at Ballinrobe. Dedillon wasn't beaten far behind at Limerick but is 4lb higher than when winning last year's renewal, with today's same jockey having claimed 3lb in 2021. Church Mountain won over course and distance at last year's festival but is 14lb higher, albeit having run well from his mark at Leopardstown. Crescent Lake beat Monday's hurdle winner Royal Eagle at Dundalk recently but has a wide draw in 17 while Comfort Line (in 21) and Imposing Supreme (20) have poor draws.
Prediction : 1st Big Baby Bull 2nd Sherkin Island 3rd Aurora Princess

AFFOGATO has a wide draw in 15 but is readily forgiven her recent Brownstown Stakes failure, as her saddle slipped. She had previously beaten older and useful horses easily at Fairyhouse, is well suited by this distance and seems ground-versatile. Nectaris was a nose runner-up in the Brownstown (2019 winner Surrounding was third) and should feature prominently, with the inside draw in 1. Voice Of Angels was third in a similar contest at Killarney, having finished seventh at Listed level at Longchamp in June and drops a furlong today. Sh Boom has been Group placed twice this year and while she beat Voice Of Angels and Nectaris in an April handicap, her latest runs were below her best. Progressive Night Of Thunder is a five-time handicap winner who faces her toughest test. Milestone Payment, beaten in four American sprints, was keen when winning at Killarney and faces a stiffer task, going right-handed for the first time. Contarelli Chapel was a promising juvenile but has been well held twice this year.
Prediction : 1st Affogato 2nd Nectaris 3rd Sh Boom

HORS PISTE can enhance Willie Mullins' fine record in this race. Mullins has taken the last four renewals of this novice hurdle and looks to have a good chance with Hors Piste who enjoyed a hack canter when winning by 22 lengths at Kilbeggan in May. Her third place, on penultimate start, in a Grade 1 mares' novices' hurdle at Fairyhouse is a very notable piece of form. Falcon Eight reverts back to flights after a close fourth in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was beaten less than a length into third in a Grade 2 novice hurdle over this trip at Fairyhouse in April, so is a big player. The Friday Man stayed on very strongly to win over an extended 2m on hurdle debut at Bellewstown which bodes well for this step up in trip. Salvador Ziggy hasn't been winning by far, but enjoys this trip and there is likely plenty more in the locker. He does have to give weight away, though.
Prediction : 1st Hors Piste 2nd Falcon Eight 3rd The Friday Man

Willie Mullins' HEIA has an each-way chance at a price. On her most recent start over an extended 2m3f at Punchestown, she slammed the odds-on favourite by 10 lengths which was a very impressive performance. That was a mares' novices' hurdle, but her previous form certainly adds up as she was a close third in a Grade A handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in April and was runner-up behind the Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Anna Bunina in a mares' hurdle at Killarney. My Mate Mozzie has solid credentials. He has got some excellent graded form including when pipped by a short head in last season's Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse. He had a couple of spins on the Flat in May and gets first-time cheekpieces. Paul Townend has picked Adamantly Chosen from the four Mullins runners. He is a lightly-raced five-year-old who was fourth in a valuable Grade B handicap hurdle at Punchestown. His chance has to be respected. Tudor City and Santa Rossa are others to consider. Anna Bunina goes for a big bonus after winning in Bellewstown, but appears to be better left-handed.
Prediction : 1st Heia 2nd My Mate Mozzie 3rd Santa Rossa

OBSERVING kept on well to be a never nearer third in a higher grade at Limerick which brings him into contention for this assignment. He is clearly on a mark he can do damage off. Billy Lee, who is having a fantastic season in the saddle, comes in for the ride. Pale Moonlight was beaten just over half a length into third over 1m2f at Naas. The form of that race is working out well. She has to come under consideration off bottom weight on this step up in trip. Blinkers are applied. Darkened certainly like a trip to Galway as he has won twice here including by a nose over hurdles on the opening day of this year's festival. He has had a busy July and, if those exertions haven't caught up with him, could be dangerous with Sean Bowen taking 7lb off his back. Second-reserve French Company stayed on well to win over this trip in Fairyhouse. He would be a player if getting a run.
Prediction : 1st Observing 2nd Pale Moonlight 3rd Darkened

Matthew Smith's MOONOVERCLOON could be worth chancing on his return from a break. His last outing in December saw him finish fourth in a 17-runner maiden hurdle at Navan. He was beaten a fair way, however, the first three have all won since then. Indeed, the first two home have both won Grade 3 novice hurdle races to strengthen the form. John McConnell is more than adept at winning with his recruits from the point-to-point circuit and he has a chance with Notnowned. This five-year-old gelding was beaten three quarters of a length into second on his point-to-point debut for Pat Doyle in Curraghmore. What Path was a beaten favourite in third at Ballinrobe, and in second at Downpatrick, but should give a good account for team Mullins. Point-to-point winner A Law Of Her Own is worth checking for market strength ahead of her track debut. Second Subaltern has plenty of experience to call upon and just lost out by the minimum margin in Wexford.
Prediction : 1st Moonovercloon 2nd Notnowned 3rd What Path