UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

BATTLING BESSIE had some very strong bumper form last season and is sure to be well schooled for her jumping debut here. The Helmet filly was narrowly denied in a hot Grade 2 contest at the Dublin Racing Festival before ending her season with a fine third-placed effort at Punchestown. She mixed it with the best bumper mares around last term. Law Ella has a bit to find on a line through Ashroe Diamond having chased home that rival in the Grade 2 race at Aintree. That mare was behind Battling Bessie at Leopardstown. Law Ella is unexposed though and this is a totally different discipline now. Deeply Superficial has jumping experience from point-to-points which is a help and connections will be hoping for a big show here having spent £385,000 on the Flemensfirth mare after her win at Lingstown last December.
Prediction : 1st Battling Bessie 2nd Law Ella 3rd Deeply Superficial

THEDEVILSCOACHMAN should appreciate going up in trip on his return to chasing here. He was last seen winning a Grade 2 contest over timber at Navan in February after connections abandoned a chase campaign. He had actually run very well on his chase debut when third to Ferny Hollow but didn't jump well when second to Saint Sam subsequently at Fairyhouse. Going further should slow things down a bit and he is a classy sort with a mark of 152 over timber. Sams Profile had the same rating when last seen over timber last Christmas and is a danger. He unseated that day in Grade 1 company and has had his jumping issues over fences as well so has questions to answer. Folcano ran a nice race when third on his chase debut at Listowel and he could get involved for prize-money again.
Prediction : 1st Thedevilscoachman 2nd Sams Profile 3rd Folcano

FARCEUR DU LARGE doesn't look badly treated on his handicap debut and there could be improvement to come from the second season novice. He was a good winner when last seen at Fairyhouse in January and Eoin Walsh, who got a good tune from him then, takes a useful 5lb off the back of the joint top-weight. Flash De Touzaine chased home the selection at Fairyhouse and he was a solid enough fourth in a strong novice handicap at Navan subsequently. At the weights he could be a danger now. Mica Malpic was a good winner in Listowel but the softer ground would be a bit of concern now for Enda Bolger's charge.
Prediction : 1st Farceur Du Large 2nd Flash De Touzaine 3rd Mica Malpic

Going a bit further here should suit KING FERDINAND and he can gain a quick follow-up win. The Milan gelding won going away at Thurles after a slight mistake at the last and can defy an 8lb rise for that victory. He won in soft ground in England so should cope with more testing conditions now. Follow The Crowd looks a danger after winning well in soft ground at Roscommon last time. He also went up 8lb for that win. Sanibel Island is on a hat-trick here and was a game winner when holding on at Downpatrick last time. After a 6lb rise this is tougher in a better grade of race.
Prediction : 1st King Ferdinand 2nd Follow The Crowd 3rd Sanibel Island

This looks like a nice opportunity for FAVORITE MOON back over timber. The Sea The Moon gelding didn't make any impression in the Cesarewitch on the Flat at Newmarket last time but had been an impressive winner over hurdles at Downpatrick prior to that. This doesn't look like the strongest novice contest now and he has race fitness on his side over the horse that looks like his main rival. Jack In The Box was last seen winning a Naas maiden hurdle in March and looked a nice prospect that day. It probably wasn't the strongest contest for the Kildare venue though with the runner-up rated 98. Saint Bernadette has been kept busy in recent weeks and despite being rated only 93 she should pick up prize-money.
Prediction : 1st Favorite Moon 2nd Jack In The Box 3rd Saint Bernadette

AFFORDALE FURY looked a nice sort when winning his bumper here earlier in the month and the point-to-point graduate can maintain his unbeaten record on his hurdling debut. The Affinisea gelding won his sole outing 'between the flags' before pulling away late on to score in style on his 'track' debut. He looked a staying prospect and it's no surprise to see him start at this trip. Sam's Choice has plenty of solid placed form and looks the obvious danger. He was runner-up for the fifth time of his career on his return at Downpatrick just over three weeks ago and connections try blinkers now in an attempt to get him over the line. Monbeg Park, a Cork bumper winner last year, is another one to note on his hurdling debut now as he also has point-to-point winning form.
Prediction : 1st Affordale Fury 2nd Sams Choice 3rd Monbeg Park

GRANGE WALK is interesting here trying hurdles again on his seasonal debut. John Ryan's charge was an improver over fences last season and now has a mark of 140 in that sphere. The seven-year-old is rated 109 over timber here and rising star Michael O'Sullivan also takes 5lb off his back to leave him on a featherweight. Fortunedefortunata makes his first start for Gordon Elliott, who has a great record of improving horses from other yards. The Soldier Of Fortune gelding won on his debut at Ludlow last February before finishing well beaten in fourth at Southwell subsequently. He is fairly unexposed. Blanketontheground has been knocking on the door and she could pick up more prize-money.
Prediction : 1st Grange Walk 2nd Fortunedefortunata 3rd Blanketontheground

COASTGUARD LADY should improve from her debut run and can open her account. The Coastal Path filly was fourth first time up at the September meeting here and had plenty to do turning for home before staying on behind an easy winner. That experience will stand to her now. Mel Monroe could be a danger on her 'track' debut having won her sole outing in point-to-points. The Walk In The Park filly was an easy winner at Monksgrange in March. I Am Shadow looks the other one for the shortlist. Ciaran Murphy's charge has been placed in a couple of bumpers, most recently when chasing home Jessqueen at Tipperary earlier this month.
Prediction : 1st Coastguard Lady 2nd Mel Monroe 3rd I Am Shadow