UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

ALVANIY could be the answer to a tricky race. He was a market mover in Galway last month, but came in fifth. That was his first run since switching to Willie Mullins, though, who drops him back in trip now. Notably, he was runner-up in a Ballinrobe bumper over a similar trip to this one for his former trainer. Harley Street is a former Curragh maiden winner who must have been showing up well at home as he made his debut in a Grade 3 juvenile hurdle at Fairyhouse in February where he finished last of five. He was off for a long time before reappearing with a second-place finish in a Down Royal maiden hurdle at the start of the month and will strip fitter for that run. Hashtag Pretender showed plenty of promise when second in a maiden hurdle at Killarney last month. He wasn't at his best in subsequent placed runs at Roscommon and Tramore, but a return to better ground should aid his cause. Walmix and Smokey Putnum are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Alvaniy 2nd Harley Street 3rd Hashtag Pretender

Handicap debutant Tomas O Maille would have a major chance on slower ground, after giving best in third in the closing stages of a Ballinrobe maiden hurdle, but there is precious little rain in the forecast. COZONE is taken to cope with the drop in trip that he encounters here. He wasn't beaten far into second at Downpatrick and into third in Sligo which gives him stronger claims than most. As he is well versed over further, he ought to be finishing well up the stiff hill in Galway now that he has hit form. Realism was third in a Group 3 on good ground on the Flat. He hasn't been placed in five outings over hurdles, but did perform better in fifth in Down Royal at the start of the month.
Prediction : 1st Cozone 2nd Realism 3rd Tomas O Maille

SEDDON can take advantage of being best in at the weights. He ran up a four-timer between October and April and among those victories was the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival and a Grade B handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. A recent run in a qualified riders' race at Killarney should have blown away the cobwebs. An Mhi sealed a four-timer over flights when obliging in Downpatrick last month. He faces a tough task at the weights, but is more than adept on decent ground. Winter Fog has the highest rating on 147 which entitles him to plenty of respect, however, he is more vulnerable on better ground. He was a beaten favourite in fourth at Kilbeggan in August. Happy Jacky was much improved in second in a quality handicap hurdle at Killarney which gives him a shot at prize money.
Prediction : 1st Seddon 2nd An Mhi 3rd Winter Fog

BLACK TONIC unseated his rider when disputing the lead at the penultimate flight in Killarney. He is clearly on a dangerous mark of 93 and is sure to be popular. Dunleer Phoenix was beaten a fair way into third at Bellewstown, but that was in a higher grade so he is another threat. Father Jed and Tullyhogue Fort are two of the more likely contenders among the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Black Tonic 2nd Dunleer Phoenix 3rd Father Jed

MILFORDFOURTHREE reverted from fences when a promising fourth to Emily In Paris in a mares maiden hurdle over a similar trip at Killarney last time, and a reproduction of that form would see her go close. Nuttorridge has put together a trio of consistent efforts at Downpatrick this summer and now replaces cheekpieces with blinkers, while Amazing Amy, Delias Pet, Ballagh Star, Roman Parish and recent Sligo winner Sittingonthefence are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Milfordfourthree 2nd Nuttorridge 3rd Amazing Amy

ANNEXATION has five career wins having scored three times on the Flat and twice over hurdles and is an interesting recruit to fences. The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding is well suited by a sound surface and is sure to be well schooled. Riding arrangements suggest Calico is preferred of Gordon Elliott's pair. The four-year-old filly has won three times over hurdles this year and receives 17lb from the selection. Kiki Badger and point-to-point winner Rexem are others to consider. The latter gained both hurdle wins when making all over staying trips last year and switched to fences last month when runner-up at Wexford before headed after the last at Downpatrick.
Prediction : 1st Annexation 2nd Calico 3rd Rexem

IRIDESCENT has returned in good form this summer winning over hurdles at Ballinrobe before scoring over fences at Downpatrick and again last time at Wexford when beating Downtown Queen (won since). He's gone up a combined total of 17lb for those two chase victories but on the plus side is in a rich vein of form and well suited by this trip. Norwigi has similar claims having won at both Roscommon and Killarney last month and any rain will help his cause. Slige Dala is without a win in three years since completing a hat-trick (2 bumpers/maiden hurdle) but has dropped down to an attractive mark and was placed last time when fitted with cheek pieces at Ballinrobe. Carrig Sam has joined Gavin Cromwell and would be a danger to all if putting in a clear round.
Prediction : 1st Iridescent 2nd Norwigi 3rd Carrig Sam

THEFLYINGBEE ran a cracker on debut when finishing strongly to beat all bar the gambled-on Fortunate Lighting over C&D at the Festival meeting this summer with Shannon Bank, also having her first run, close up in fourth. The Finbarr Hand-trained mare should have learned from that experience while the same remark may also apply to Jack Martin who was having his first ride on that occasion. Just For Love is an obvious threat from the powerful Mullins yard and she's out of an unraced sister to a list of smart types including Outlander and Western Leader. Final Escape is a half-sister to five winners including Final Assault, while Westerhope and Highland Dew are other newcomers to note in the market.
Prediction : 1st Theflyingbee 2nd Just For Love 3rd Shannon Bank