UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

Claiming 7lb off GENUINE ARTICLE leaves him nicely treated here and there looks potential for further improvement from the Muhaarar gelding on just his third career outing. He was a big eye catcher on soft ground on his debut at Killarney last October and was value for a bit more than his winning margin on his return a fortnight ago at the same track. Jockey Conor Stone-Walsh has impressed this year and is good value for his allowance. Emmet Mullins also takes 7lb off the back of Malbay Madness and he could be a danger. The Wings Of Eagles gelding makes his third outing for the yard and drops in trip having faded late on in the Ulster Derby last time. Sea Gardens is fitted with cheekpieces now having been beaten favourite on his return in a Listowel maiden in early June. He is another to consider on his handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Genuine Article 2nd Malbay Madness 3rd Sea Gardens

UP AND UNDER should prove hard to beat in this as he takes a drop in class back into maiden company. The Lope De Vega colt was last seen finishing fifth in the Irish Derby and had been runner-up in a couple of the leading classic trials prior to his run at the Curragh. He has a lofty enough mark of 106 and it would be disappointing if he couldn't collect now. Willie Mullins runs smart jumper Winter Fog and he could be the one to give the selection most to do. The Papal Bull gelding bounced back to winning ways in a conditions hurdle at Cork last month. The Banger Doyle ran well when second in a Killarney maiden just over two weeks ago and could be one for a place.
Prediction : 1st Up And Under 2nd Winter Fog 3rd The Banger Doyle

NO THANKS won this race a couple of years ago and could run well again after a decent effort over hurdles on his most recent outing. The Matthew Smith-trained gelding chased home Father Jed at Ballinrobe eight days ago and the fact that he has winning form here in soft ground looks a big plus. En Or was a cosy enough winner at Fairyhouse last time and has to be respected after just a 4lb rise for that win. He does have plenty of weight to carry on this ground though. Hallowed Star is fitted with cheekpieces after a poor run over in Cartmel last time. He is a three-time winner over jumps at the track and could be each-way material if the headgear reignites his spark.
Prediction : 1st No Thanks 2nd En Or 3rd Hallowed Star

FINAL ORDERS was a revelation when sent over fences last season, completing a five-timer in a valuable contest at Leopardstown in February before finishing fifth in the Grand Annual. He warmed up for this with a win on the level at Bellewstown, won't mind the soft ground, and has a nice racing weight. Fury Road is one of a strong team of contenders for Gordon Elliott and did most of his racing in Grade 1s last term, including when third in a pair of Leopardstown contests. He goes well on right-handed tracks. Born By The Sea won the Galway Blazers over C&D in 2021 and was fifth to Gabbys Cross in it last year. He's a few pounds out of the handicap but was a very creditable sixth in the Grand National and can go well at a price. Kilcruit is up 12lb for a front-running success on his most recent chase start at Punchestown, and Hewick carries 12lb more than when winning this last year.
Prediction : 1st Final Orders 2nd Fury Road 3rd Born By The Sea

BANNTOWN GIRL was placed for the second year running in a valuable mares' handicap at Leopardstown in February and has a sizeable pull at the weights with the winner Ballybawn Belter. Sonny Carey's charge got her head in front in a Ballinrobe maiden in May and will enjoy the soft ground. Delante, a half-sister to the dam of Douvan and Jonbon, won her only start in France on soft and showed her first bit of worthwhile Irish form when second to Red Ball Of Fire at Sligo. There should be more to come from her. The selection's Leopardstown conqueror Ballybawn Belter also hit the target at the Punchestown Festival in April. She's up another 7lb for that, and dropping back from 2m4f may not be ideal, but she is still a big player. Ready Downpatrick winner Cottie and Vischio, who has been in good form on the Flat, may both find underfoot conditions softer than ideal.
Prediction : 1st Banntown Girl 2nd Delante 3rd Ballybawn Belter

A winning point-to-pointer in late 2021, HIGH CLASS HERO overcame a long absence to score on his Rules debut in a Listowel bumper last month. He beat a useful type who has subsequently won his first two starts over hurdles very easily and seems sure to stay this trip, with that bumper win having come over 2m4f. Paul Townend's mount is clearly Wille Mullins' main hope, although stablemates All The Others and Alvaniy have both shown enough in bumpers to be contenders if they take to hurdles. Tag Man's Leopardstown second to subsequent Grade 1 winner Good Land is an eyecatching line of form and a mark of 130 sets a very good standard. There was little wrong with his latest run in a winners' contest at Punchestown, but he will need to settle better to see out this trip. Arabian Diamond was around a dozen lengths behind Tag Man when sixth in a Fairyhouse maiden on debut and shaped like a strong stayer when routing his rivals in a Sligo bumper last time.
Prediction : 1st High Class Hero 2nd Tag Man 3rd Arabian Diamond

Another devilishly competitive handicap, but SOMETHING ABOUTHER is interesting from an initial mark of 114. Padraig Roche's mare won her only bumper start on soft ground and relished the step up in trip to 2m6f when landing a Punchestown maiden last month. She'll come up the hill well if in the same form and is open to plenty of improvement. Fancy A Cosmo represents a stable in form and was placed on soft ground at this venue in the autumn. He put his handicap experience to good use when easily landing a Wexford maiden in early July. We'llhavewan beat a pair of subsequent winners at Ballinrobe in May and has won over 2m5f in the past. He's up 12lb for that latest win but there could well be more to come. Thornleigh Frank and Miss Tempo are both on a hat-trick but have risen sharply in the ratings.
Prediction : 1st Something Abouther 2nd Fancy A Cosmo 3rd Wellhavewan