UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

Aidan O'Brien has dominated this race in the last 10 years and introduces a couple of newcomers in ALEXANDROUPOLIS and Espionage. The former holds a clutch of Group 1 and Group 2 entries and avails of stall one. Camelot's progeny have had plenty of success on rain-sodden ground. Seamie Heffernan is on Espionage who is entered at Group 2 level this season. He is by Galileo out of a Group 2-winning mare, so has plenty going for him. Golden Temple kept on to chase home a more than useful looking winner at Dundalk. He has improved on each of his three runs. Simpson's Paradox is a sister of multiple Group 1 winner Alpha Centauri and is likely to show much more than when sixth on debut at Leopardstown in May, but rain is a concern. Joseph O'Brien's pair, Magnetar and Harsh, and Curragh sixth Newport cannot be ruled out.
Prediction : 1st Alexandroupolis 2nd Espionage 3rd Golden Temple

ONLYHUMAN made a bright start to life with John McConnell when a never nearer third over a similar trip at the festival here in July. He had previously won four races for Jessica Harrington and Eddie Lynam before reappearing for McConnell off a break of more than three months. He hadn't been in form over hurdles this year, but that spin in July showed there is still plenty in the tank. Plunkett is a big player from a lovely low draw. He has been in good form this season with a pair of victories and three places banked. He has previously finished runner-up on testing ground at this venue. Sir Antonino is bidding for a hat-trick after victories in Limerick and over C&D. The handicapper has tacked on 5lb which isn't insurmountable. His best performances have come on better ground, though. Excuzio Joe is up in class after winning a 7f handicap at the festival here in July. The 7lb rise he received is mostly offset by Jake Coen's 5lb claim. Clear Quartz is another C&D winner who merits respect.
Prediction : 1st Onlyhuman 2nd Plunkett 3rd Sir Antonino

MARISTELLA is of definite interest in her first handicap. On her debut in a maiden at Dundalk in April, she was beaten just over four lengths into second by Rosscarbery who has since won twice at Group 3 level. She was then third over a mile in Limerick the same month. Dark Note has switched to Andrew Slattery after winning a claimer for Joseph O'Brien at Ballinrobe in June. The runner-up has since landed a fillies' maiden in Roscommon, so Dark Note could have a say. Peter Fahey's stable is very much in form and his Faithful Prince attracted support in Killarney before finishing sixth. He has been dropped another 2lb and it wouldn't be surprising to see him on the premises. My Minervina and Apple Of His Eye are others with claims.
Prediction : 1st Maristella 2nd Dark Note 3rd Faithful Prince

Joseph O'Brien's LUMIERE ROCK was a major eye-catcher in fourth on debut at the Curragh. This Saxon Warrior filly raced in rear and made up a lot ground in the final furlong to get up for fourth place. She more than halved in price that day from 18/1 to 17/2 and should come on plenty from that experience. She holds a Group 1 entry and has the best draw in box one. Keep In Touch showed ability when fourth in Naas and particularly when third over a similar trip at this track in July. Dermot Weld's stable has hit form, so her chance is respected. Lumiere Rock's stablemate Perfect Portrait holds a Group 1 entry and is an interesting newcomer. The 74-rated Roman Moon (who was a place in front of Keep In Touch here) and Starry Heavens should also be in the thick of the action.
Prediction : 1st Lumiere Rock 2nd Keep In Touch 3rd Perfect Portrait

PIMSTREL often goes well fresh and can do so again off a break of almost three months. She was collared in the final furlong over 1m at Gowran Park and finished a close third when last seen in June. She obliged over a similar trip in Listowel last year. No Patience and Kyanna Van Buuren have been placed in three of their last four outings. This four-year-old gelding is on a decent mark with the jockey's 10lb claim factored in. Angel's Trumpet was hampered when unplaced in Killarney and is better judged on her previous two appearances when victorious in Gowran Park. She has a low draw and her stables' form is a bonus. Fastman enters the fray after two solid placed efforts at Leopardstown and Gowran Park, however, rain isn't to his advantage and he has a very tough draw in stall 17.
Prediction : 1st Pimstrel 2nd No Patience 3rd Angels Trumpet

YAXENI rarely runs a bad race and might be able to give weight away to the field. She has come in a close second in her last two runs over 1m4f when pipped by a neck by a very in-form winner in a Group 3 at Cork, and when beaten half a length on testing ground in Listed class at Roscommon. If she runs to her mark of 104, she ought to be more than competitive. Goodie Two Shoes is a fascinating contender. Joseph O'Brien pitches her into Listed company after winning her fillies' maiden at Killarney in July in good style. She has entries right up to Group 1 level. Azallya was effective over this trip last season and can get in the mix. Pita Pinta and Alizarine (up in trip) will be aiming for prize money. British-raider Thanks Monica has never encountered slow ground.
Prediction : 1st Yaxeni 2nd Goodie Two Shoes 3rd Azallya

THE TRUANT could follow up on his victory over an extended 1m4f at Sligo. That three-length success came on soft ground and the runner-up boosted the form when coming out to win well in Tramore on his next start. Lamprog was effective over a similar trip in Tramore when beaten half a length into second. This double winner appears one of the more likely sorts in this maximum field. Sequoiaspirit kept on for fourth in a slightly higher grade at Killarney which gives him prospects. Mr Rango got his preferred soft ground in Navan on Saturday and rewarded his connections with a victory. He is up in trip and carries a 7lb penalty. Stellar Storm is only having her third start and gets blinkers. She could be an improver.
Prediction : 1st The Truant 2nd Lamprog 3rd Sequoiaspirit

HOTTER THAN HADES has her chance in a tricky fillies' maiden. Her mark of 88 has been primarily built upon her runner-up finish in a Listed race at Naas. She was beaten by eight lengths, however, the winner has gone on to be third in the Irish Oaks and second in a Group 3. That puts Hotter Than Hades' run in a better light. River Rain has been a beaten favourite in her last two starts, but wasn't far off the winner in either contest. She gets a tongue-strap for the first time. Zawahir was three quarters of a length behind River Rain in third at Tramore and has progressed with each run. Forever And Always could be a different proposition up in trip but has a long lay-off to overcome. Raving Royal represents Willie Mullins and Colin Keane and will have her supporters.
Prediction : 1st Hotter Than Hades 2nd River Rain 3rd Zawahir