UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

An embarrassment of riches for Willie Mullins, saddling no less than four strong contenders in this quality affair. Paul Townend will be aboard French import Absurde, who won on his hurdling debut at Killarney before finishing second at Royal Ascot. He was behind a stable companion there and might have to settle for a similar faith now, with SPACE TOURIST the selection. Three from four since joining Mullins, she has impressed in recent starts and bids to complete a hat-trick, with Rachael Blackmore booked for the ride. Williamstowndancer and Arctic Fly are the other Closutton representatives, with the former also aiming for her third win in-a-row. Enfranchise was a fine seventh in Grade 3 company at Tipperary earlier this month and while yet to win over flights, she should give a good account of herself. Calico and Castra Vetera also warrant respect.
Prediction : 1st Space Tourist 2nd Absurde 3rd Williamstowndancer

At the age of 10, top-class hurdler SHARJAH is undoubtedly a late recruit to fences, but he still stands out a mile here and will prove hard to beat. The great Faugheen, for the same connections, had a similar profile when tackling racecourse fences for the first time at the age of 11, a move that ultimately proved very successful. A six-time winner at the highest level, the selection has reportedly 'schooled fantastically' and could yet add to his Grade 1 tally before the season is out. With a rating of 131, Mars Harper also stands out as the clear danger. He is without a win from seven starts over fences but has put in some fine efforts in defeat, finishing second in a Grade 2 at Punchestown in November. Walnut Beach has been running well of late and can challenge for minor honours.
Prediction : 1st Sharjah 2nd Mars Harper 3rd Walnut Beach

With three efforts to her name, GLOR TIRE is the most experienced filly in the line-up, a fact which should stand to her in this eight-runner affair. The Teofilo-bay appears to be improving with each start and ran her best race to date when second at Leopardstown on her most recent outing. She finished half a length ahead of Brilliant at the Foxrock venue and that one since gave the form a boost by winning on her next start. Mayfair and Tannola are the most interesting of the newcomers, with the Aidan O'Brien-trained former given second preference. Out of Group 1 winner Clemmie, she holds many big race entries. Tannola represents Dermot Weld, who won this race 12 months ago with the brilliant Tahiyra. The Awtaad is closely-related to a whole host of winners and it'll come as no surprise if she proves good enough to win this. Kalispera can build on a solid debut effort, while the Paddy Twomey-trained Purple Lily is another that warrants respect.
Prediction : 1st Glor Tire 2nd Mayfair 3rd Tannola

Unsurprisingly, Adrian McGuinness saddles a strong team as he bids to claim this valuable prize for the fourth time in five years. Just denied by half a length 12 months ago, Casanova is one of seven representatives for McGuinness and the Frankel gelding is sure to have plenty of supporters, with Cian MacRedmond claiming a valuable 5lb. The Co Dublin handler also saddles leading hopes in the shape of three-time course winner Current Option, recent Leopardstown victor Celtic Crown and top-weight Saltonstall, who is bidding to win this race for a third time. For a selection, it might be worth siding with DUNUM, despite the fact his excellent run of form came to an end at Royal Ascot. His previous seven starts yielded five wins and he might be able to bounce back to his best now. Alanya is of definite interest after her comfortable Ladies Derby success, while others for the shortlist in this extremely competitive affair are Blues Emperor, Salt Lake City, Rahmi, Joe Masseria and Soaring Monarch.
Prediction : 1st Dunum 2nd Casanova 3rd Alanya

The well-bred NELDA is taken to reverse Naas form with Pier Pressure. There was just a short head between them at the Tipper Road venue, with the selection since finishing a respectable sixth in a Group 3 at Fairyhouse. Bought for E230,000 as a yearling, she might be able to take advantage of her favourable draw in four. The aforementioned Pier Pressure is drawn out in 10 and steps up in trip to 7f after being placed on his first two starts. There was plenty of market confidence behind the Kingman bay on both occasions and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to make the breakthrough now. Livio Milo is the other standout name in the line-up. A runner-up no less than four times, he would be a deserving winner, however he has a wide draw to overcome and is rated 8lb inferior to the selection. Caulaincourt and Brave Thought are others capable of making an impact.
Prediction : 1st Nelda 2nd Pier Pressure 3rd Livio Milo

IMPOSING SUPREME has a fine record at Ballybrit and is one of the safer options in this competitive affair. A three-time course winner, he caught the eye on his penultimate start at the Curragh, before registering a fifth career success at Bellewstown. Clearly in good spirits, the seven-year-old should be able to make his presence felt. Adrian McGuinness is again well represented, saddling four of the 16 set to take part. His Sirjack Thomas is given second preference, with this one successful in the feature race on the card back in 2021. He ended a long losing streak by winning at the Curragh in May and was a never nearer sixth in the Nasrullah Handicap on his most recent start. Laughifuwant is a dual course and distance winner and warrants respect with Colin Keane aboard, all of 20lb lower than his most recent winning mark. Gambe Veloci is of definite interest on what will be just his third start in handicap company, while others of note are Pinar Del Rio and Kodiac Prince, along with recent winners Bells On Her Toes and Eastern Wind.
Prediction : 1st Imposing Supreme 2nd Sirjack Thomas 3rd Laughifuwant

Dropped 6lb for his latest effort at Roscommon, SAFARI QUEST is an interesting contender off a revised mark of 70. Previously trained by Ger Lyons and successful at Gowran in September of 2021, he returned to action in March, making his debut for Tony Martin after a lengthy layoff. While he has shown very little in recent starts, he is capable of making his presence felt if returning to his best, with Ben Coen a positive jockey booking. Khafaaq has been in fine form of late and is sure to have plenty of supporters, as he bids to win for a third time this season. A nine-time winner in the UK, Gometra Ginty starts off for Denis Hogan and with Kyle McHugh claiming a valuable 10lb, she should give a good account of herself. A case can be made for many others in this wide-open contest, with Complete Fiction, Dabana, Arch Enemy and Desert Wind all leading contenders.
Prediction : 1st Safari Quest 2nd Khafaaq 3rd Gometra Ginty