UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

MERLIN GIANT was second in a bumper at last year's festival before going one better next time at Ballinrobe. He ran well to be second in a 1m4f maiden here on Wednesday and picked up some hurdling experience in good company at Punchestown in the spring. A hood is now fitted and he should go close. Gamin Original had just taken a narrow lead when unseating rider at the last in a similar contest here a year ago and is Paul Townend's pick of two with chances for Willie Mullins. Stablemate Hubrisko, like Gamin Original a bumper winner in France, was beaten into third when odds-on for his hurdling debut on New Year's Day at Fairyhouse but that is useful form and he may be suited by dropping back in trip by half a mile. Scenic Look was well ridden to turn over a short-priced favourite in a 2m handicap on the Flat here earlier in the week. She has some useful hurdles form and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Merlin Giant 2nd Gamin Original 3rd Hubrisko

DIGBY stays well and has won three of his last five starts. Dermot McLoughlin's charge landed a competitive handicap at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting and there was little wrong with his subsequent third at Ballinrobe where Galway Plate hero Hewick was second. He's only had eight starts over hurdles and there could be more to come. Ambitious Fellow snared a valuable prize at the Punchestown festival and was successful in a three-horse race at Roscommon last time. This will take a lot more winning but his trainer is enjoying a very profitable week. Blackstair Rocco was touched off over 3m at last year's festival and returned from a long absence to finish second over fences at Limerick recently. Ilikedwayurthinkin was was pulled up after a bad mistake over fences at Kilbeggan but his second at Aintree on his last start in this discipline brings him into the argument while La Prima Donna is unexposed and has been shaping like this step-up in trip is what she needs.
Prediction : 1st Digby 2nd Ambitious Fellow 3rd Blackstair Rocco

HIAWATHA did little wrong when narrowly beaten on debut at Killarney and can go one better. The full-brother to Group 1 winner and 2,000 Guineas third Luxembourg went down by just a head to a rival who had the benefit of a good run at the Curragh under his belt. Aidan O'Brien has a great record in this race and the Camelot colt can enhance that even further. Serious Challenge ran very creditably when beaten less than three lengths on debut here on Monday and steps up in trip by a furlong. The two that got the better of him earlier in the week had runs under their belts. Agathon is a half-brother to his trainer's Group 2 winner Agartha and, like the selection, holds an entry in the Group 1 National Stakes. Trident Star, by the sire of recent Group 3 winner Lezoo and stoutly bred on the distaff side, is another newcomer to note.
Prediction : 1st Hiawatha 2nd Serious Challenge 3rd Agathon

The well-bred OLYMPICUS showed much more on his second start when running on for fourth over this trip at Killarney. That was his first outing for three months and if he talks a similar step forward he can go close here. Touching Clouds had Saraqael half a length back in third when running on well for second place at Gowran Park in May. The War Front filly is well drawn and Dermot Weld has had a winner and a few near-misses at the festival this week. Samuel Pepys didn't quite get home over 1m2f when fourth at the Curragh but the second and third have won since and coming back to a mile may help. The Vik is fitted with headgear and the form of his third at Limerick was boosted when the winner scored in handicap company here on Wednesday.
Prediction : 1st Olympicus 2nd Touching Clouds 3rd Samuel Pepys

Congo River is greatly respected up in trip. He clearly wasn't at his best on slower ground in Listowel when a beaten favourite in third. He is better judged on a close second on debut at the Curragh when beaten half a length by a horse who went on to be placed in a Group 3. Congo River holds a clutch of Group 1 and Group 2 entries. Slight preference is for GOA GAJAH who won over this trip at Down Royal. He was green, but showed plenty of ability in making all to score by two and a half lengths from a stablemate who franked the form when winning at Bellewstown. Goa Gajah also hold notable big-race entries. Pandora Lovegood powered through the testing ground in Roscommon to score by five lengths. She has placed form on better ground, so is entitled to get in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Goa Gajah 2nd Congo River 3rd Pandora Lovegood

Andrew Kinirons was full of praise for MARY SALOME after she stayed on well to score in Bellewstown. She is running consistently well and Billy Lee looks set for a good spin. San Aer was gambled on at Leopardstown and rattled home to be nearest at the finish in third. He appeals off the same mark, however, the draw in 19 has been less than kind. Excuzio Joe didn't enjoy much luck-in-running before finishing fourth over C&D on Tuesday. She is much better drawn and is certainly a contender. She has a Galway victory in the formbook. Galway has long been the plan for Cailin Cliste who looks set to be played late from stall 17. She has won over 6f at the Curragh and in Fairyhouse, and tries this trip for the first time. There is a race in Inchiquin Star who was a close third over further at the festival on Wednesday. My Minervina is on a roll after winning a Bellewstown claimer and a handicap in Killarney. She got up close home in both contests, but drops in trip here. Star Of Cashel is better than his eighth place on Tuesday.
Prediction : 1st Mary Salome 2nd San Aer 3rd Excuzio Joe

The form of ALMA LIBRE's runner-up berth in the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh has been franked in a major way. She possibly got a bit lonely in front in that 1m4f contest and was cut down by half a length. The horse that beat her was pipped by a head in a 60-90 handicap in Galway in Monday, while the horse behind in third came out and won the Galway Hurdle on Thursday. Alma Libre's trainer Natalia Lupini had a winner at the Galway Festival on Tuesday. Fennor Cross is a strapping son of Elzaam and is chasing a hat-trick. He has won four of his last five races and was an authoritative winner in Down Royal last month. The step up in trip shouldn't inconvenience him. Indigo Desert has to be monitored in the market. He has moved to Willie Mullins since winning at Dundalk in December. Zahee looks worth a shot at this trip after keeping on well for second over an extended 1m2f at Down Royal. Razdan, Pike County and Insane Bolt make this a very competitive race.
Prediction : 1st Alma Libre 2nd Fennor Cross 3rd Indigo Desert

Willie Mullins has landed four of the last six renewals of this contest and has bright prospects with CARRIGMOORNA QUEEN. She was beaten 12 lengths into second on heavy ground on debut at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. To put that into context, the winner has since been a close fourth in a Listed mares' bumper. Carrigmoorna Queen can improve on this better ground. Lady Of The Vale ran a remarkable race in Clonmel when she came from virtually last to get up for second. She is a big threat. Our Girl Sal makes her track debut for Peter Fahey after being a beaten favourite in third in a point-to-point. Balum has posted a pair of fourth places and has a shot at more prize money.
Prediction : 1st Carrigmoorna Queen 2nd Lady Of The Vale 3rd Our Girl Sal