UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

BOOGIE WOOGIE took a good step forward from her debut run at Dundalk when second to Sounds Of Heaven at Leopardstown just over a fortnight ago. The daughter of Irish Oaks winner Seventh Heaven stayed the mile well on that occasion and hopefully can cope with this much softer surface. Astar also progressed on her second start when fifth in the soft-ground Gowran maiden won by Speirling Beag. The first four in that race, including the aforementioned Sounds Of Heaven, have all won since. The remainder with form make limited appeal, while Fanaigi Linn and Paris Secret are two newcomers to note.
Prediction : 1st Boogie Woogie 2nd Astar 3rd Fanaigi Linn

Billy Lee continues to battle it out with Colin Keane for the Flat jockeys' championship and his sister Gillian Scott may provide a welcome winner in the shape of STARTING MONDAY, who handles soft ground well and has a course win to his credit. The selection was unlucky at Listowel before running into an impressive winner at Killarney. Dangers abound in a fiercely competitive handicap and Tom Mullins has two in-form contenders with San Aer and Dazzling Spirit. The latter has gone up 26lb for three wins since the start of September but is proven on the ground. Soilse and Excuzio Joe filled the minor places behind Saltonstall over a mile at Leopardstown, while Stormy Jenn and Fools Glory both won over this trip on the same Gowran card recently.
Prediction : 1st Starting Monday 2nd Excuzio Joe 3rd San Aer

Rhythm King beat SUMMER SNOW by a short head in a soft-ground nursery over this trip at Gowran just under a fortnight ago, with Duke Of Leggagh about two lengths back in third. The trio were all prominent throughout and should be involved again, but the selection may hold an edge as she didn't enjoy the clearest of passages and her rider dropped his whip a furlong out. Samantha Maguire and The Snapper have both shown promise in three maiden outings and could well take a hand on their handicap debuts, with the two leading jockeys booked. Malacanne was placed on his first handicap start at Bellewstown and the cheekpieces are now replaced by blinkers.
Prediction : 1st Summer Snow 2nd Samantha Maguire 3rd The Snapper

VOCAL STUDIES appears to have been found a good opportunity to open his account. The Jim Bolger-trained gelding made a belated debut last month and has progressed in both subsequent starts, all with plenty of cut in the ground. He could make no impression on clear-cut winner Imaginarium inside the final furlong at the Curragh last time but had the other 14 rivals all well strung out behind, and this drop back in trip with a stiff uphill finish should be ideal. Runhoney, Jackandthefox and Good Time Jonny were among those behind the selection at the Curragh. Teddy O'neill only weakened inside the final furlong when a promising fifth to Boher Road over a mile at the Curragh last time, while Dancing Eagle and Racing Royalty may prove best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Vocal Studies 2nd Teddy Oneill 3rd Dancing Eagle

PURPLE GOWN hasn't enjoyed the best of luck in running on occasions, including when runner-up at Naas this spring and again over C&D here in July. The Teofilo filly wasn't helped by a tardy start when running well on soft ground at Gowran last time. That came after a three-month break and the Bolger yard has been in decent form over the past few weeks. Wee Pablo won twice over this trip last year, including on soft ground at Listowel, and should appreciate this step back up to seven after going close at Navan. The booking of Colin Keane looks significant. Fastman has held his form well this year and rates a threat, while Speckled Meadow is worth a try at this trip and handles soft ground well.
Prediction : 1st Purple Gown 2nd Wee Pablo 3rd Fastman

INTEND stays well having won over 1m6f on soft ground at Navan last month, and has coped well since with a subsequent rise in the ratings on varying ground conditions. He was beaten half a length by Chally Chute over this trip at Dundalk and now enjoys a nice turnaround in the weights with that rival, who followed up at the Curragh. Lord Erskine, who won the Irish Cesarewitch at Navan five years ago, relishes cut in the ground and has returned to form this season, winning twice, including over this trip at Roscommon. This represents a drop in class following a creditable fourth to Autumn Evening in a valuable handicap at the Curragh. Tourgar Raude has obviously not been the easiest to train but is interesting stepped up significantly in trip on handicap debut, given his dam won over 1m6f.
Prediction : 1st Intend 2nd Lord Erskine 3rd Tourgar Raude

BOLERO and Fenomeno probably ran into a blot on the handicap when filling the minor places behind easy winner Secret Secret at Navan. The Harry Rogers-trained mare previously ran a cracker over this trip at Bellewstown and looks well capable of a handicap success off her current mark. Fenomeno was having his first start in a handicap and has plenty of scope to improve, while Molly Kaye had Stellify close behind when taking the other division of that 1m6f Navan handicap. Fair Damsel seemed to appreciate the step up to this trip when runner-up to Itsalonglongroad at Thurles and is now fitted with cheekpieces, while Astrophysicist and Bayou Belle were both placed over a similar trip at Killarney last time.
Prediction : 1st Bolero 2nd Fair Damsel 3rd Fenomeno

ELLAAT hasn't been beaten far in his last two races on testing ground. He stays further than this, which could aid him as this ground is likely to be very attritional by the last race. Your Honor has a tough draw in stall 20, but rallied well to win over a similar trip on soft ground at Killarney. He can show up well again, despite the draw and a 7lb rise. Rock On Seamie reverts to the Flat and has been given a chance by the handicapper, who has dropped him by 4lb. Title-chasing Billy Lee is a notable booking. El Tren has to bounce back from a disappointing run in Navan, but that is possible. Hello Power, Elle Dorado Rock and Rockview Roman are other possibles.
Prediction : 1st Ellaat 2nd Your Honor 3rd Rock On Seamie