UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

FEUD scored impressively last month and the half-brother to 1,000 Guineas winner Fallen Angel will be helped by the day forecast. His jumping technique at Listowel was good and the form is useful as the well-held third horse was a 2023 Galway Festival Flat winner while the fourth subsequently won a maiden hurdle. Sysko hails from a formidable yard and won his only previous race at French provincial course Nort-Sur-Erdre in April 2023. That race was over two miles and was on very soft ground so he stays well, although needs to be smart to beat the penalised selection. Jack Kennedy takes the outside ride on Pigeon House, over Mordor.
Prediction : 1st Feud 2nd Sysko 3rd Pigeon House

A chance is taken that EXPLOSIVE BOY can leave behind his many troubles and finally make use of a favourable handicap rating. Runner-up at the 2022 Cheltenham November, he was an unlucky loser when falling at Fairyhouse the following month and while now a lightly-raced 10-year-old, his connections have persevered and he reappears at a big week, during which he is notably doubly entered in handicaps. Riding instructions will be interesting. Reflectionist hasn't run since May 2023 but looked a well-handicapped horse that month and could well figure from his 110 rating. Ex-Ballydoyle representative Harley Street is lightly raced but has a low hurdles rating and showed promise in first-time blinkers at Tipperary recently.
Prediction : 1st Explosive Boy 2nd Reflectionist 3rd Harley Street

TRUTH BE TOLD's trainer has won this race 24 times so his encouraging recent debut run should put him spot on for today, and he also holds notable entries in both the Futurity and National Stakes. From a fine Moyglare family and a sizeable colt, he missed the break at Naas but finished strongly and he looks sure to improve and turn form with runner-up Viking Invasion. Better was seemingly expected of Admiral Churchill on debut at the Curragh last month (Viking Invasion finished ninth) but he nonetheless finished his race reasonably well and should improve considerably. Rock Of Cashel needs to improve from his Curragh debut but that race is working out very well.
Prediction : 1st Truth Be Told 2nd Admiral Churchill 3rd Rock Of Cashel

CUBAN CONFUSION is an eight-race maiden but met significant in-running traffic at Leopardstown recently and looks capable of winning from his rating. That recent run was just his second handicap run and while beaten five lengths by the winner and today's rival Enchanted Garden, he had been crowded out in the early part of race and his path was then blocked in the home straight. He now has a 19lb swing with Enchanted Garden which has been hit by the handicapper but should also continue to progress and can compete, on a sound surface. Avatar Jet has the inside draw and while just 6lb higher than when winning at Killarney, might not be ideally suited by dropping back a furlong in distance.
Prediction : 1st Cuban Confusion 2nd Enchanted Garden 3rd Avatar Jet

Last year's third SHAJAK can go two places better with Harry Swan once again in the plate. The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old didn't enjoy the clearest of passages on that occasion, trapped on the inside rail waiting for a gap as the leaders kicked on in front. Staying on strongly once in the clear, the gelding made up plenty of ground on the steep uphill climb to the finish. Granted better fortune, he looks likely to play a leading role. Teed Up has to command the utmost respect as he bids for a sixth course victory. Trainer Emmet Mullins has few equals when it comes to lining one up for a long range target. Pinot Gris catches the eye towards the foot of the weights after a big run at the Curragh last time. Alphonse Le Grande and Lot Of Joy are others to consider despite wide draws.
Prediction : 1st Shajak 2nd Teed Up 3rd Pinot Gris

Recent Curragh maiden winner EPHESUS looks ideally drawn for one likely to hold a prominent pitch from the off. Making all to open his account earlier this month, the Galileo colt appeared to appreciate the first-time cheekpieces. With that aid retained now, it will take a tough horse to pass him up the stiff Galway hill. The Joseph O'Brien-trained Naturally Nimble has yet to get his head in front but has run with credit in some decent maidens. Having shaped well on his handicap debut at Fairyhouse last time, the son of Too Darn Hot has to be a live contender. Apprentice Derby winner Courageous Strike should appreciate stepping back up in trip having kept on late over ten furlongs at the Curragh last time.
Prediction : 1st Ephesus 2nd Naturally Nimble 3rd Courageous Strike

In a race where those with previous experience look beatable, the Willie Mullins-trained newcomer CAUSE FOR COMMENT can make a racecourse winning debut. A half-brother to four previous winners, including one at black-type level, the four year old certainly has the pedigree. Chanceawetmorning showed definite ability when third on his initial outing at Down Royal in May. With the fourth in that race winning subsequently, the form looks relatively strong. Shark Hanlon's charge is entitled to be sharper for that outing so should be involved. With three starts to date, the Charles Byrnes-trained Delta Force could have that vital edge if getting into a battle. He does need to improve but that is a distinct possibility given his experience.
Prediction : 1st Cause For Comment 2nd Chanceawetmorning 3rd Delta Force