Road To Cheltenham has picked out his favourite bets for the Galway Plate and the Galway Hurdle.
Galway Plate
PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS is the right favourite but trainer Gavin Cromwell has expressed his concern about whether he is now in the grip of the handicapper. He’s ran well here in the past and that is a huge positive as many horses don’t take to Galway.
Mark Walsh takes the ride and he has obvious claims. It’ll be interesting to see whether he is supported in the betting compared to IN EXCELSIS DEO – another JP McManus-owned runner. Harry Fry won’t be bringing him over for a day out...
Gordon Elliott has trained the winner in three of the last six renewals and ZANAHIYR has been the subject of significant money since declarations on Monday. He is the choice of Jack Kennedy and that may be a tip in itself.
He’s unexposed over fences and his chase rating of 145 is some 10lbs below his hurdles mark. There was reason for optimism in his run at Cheltenham in March but he now runs off a 5lb lower mark and this son of Nathaniel should be fine on the ground.
However, the one I’ve landed on is AMIRITE. I was a little disappointed to see Rachael Blackmore on stablemate LET’S GO CHAMP but Sam Twiston-Davies is a top jockey in his own right and you can be sure that he’ll run his race.
Galway Plate Tips: AMIRITE, ZANAHIYR (both E/W)
Galway Hurdle
Nicky Henderson is bidding to win the Galway Hurdle for the first time and he has the antepost market leader in UNDER CONTROL. She’s been well supported in the build-up to the race and her best form gives her a solid chance of being in the mix.
Nico de Boinville has had nine winners from 21 rides so far this season and he enjoyed success at the Punchestown Festival just a few months ago. She’ll love the quick going and the vibes out of Seven Barrows are strong for her.
I think DADDY LONG LEGS is a proper Grade 1 horse on fast ground and he’ll need to be up to that level if he is to give 13lbs and a beating to Henderson’s mare. He flopped the last day but he’s the one to beat if he can replicate his Punchestown Festival run.
NURBURGRING is a horse with massive potential and it’d be great to see him go well for the Bronsan Racing team. That run on the flat at Leopardstown should put him spot on for this race and he’ll go close if his jumping holds up.
Of the others, MY MATE MOZZIE has a chance after finishing a length off Zarak The Brave in last year’s renewal. He’s ran over fences and on the flat since this time 12 months ago and he’s well worth an each way play given his form this past season.
