UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

Willie Mullins knows what is required to win this race having landed five of the last nine renewals and GAUCHER looks a likely sort for him. He has progressed on each of his three runs for Mullins and shed his maiden tag by a whopping 15 lengths in Punchestown, which shows the engine under the bonnet once he gets to dictate. This trip is a good fit for Le Coq Hardi, who took the honours in Down Royal and Roscommon, while Al Gasparo really enjoyed himself in Killarney when he slammed his rivals by 24 lengths. Instant Tendance is proven over further, which will aid her cause as this could be run at a good clip.
Prediction : 1st Gaucher 2nd Le Coq Hardi 3rd Al Gasparo

MERLIN GIANT holds three entries for Galway week, including an eyecatching one in a Grade 3 novice chase, so it is reasonable to assume he has been primed for Ballybrit. He has been off since being placed in a valuable Flat handicap at the Curragh in September and makes his debut over fences. He has won a Grade A handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse, which shows the ability he has. Jet Setting Jim held every chance in second when falling at the last on chasing debut in Tipperary, so has to enter calculations. Thecompanysergeant has finished runner-up in three of his last four races over fences, while Caesar Rock has plenty of experience.
Prediction : 1st Merlin Giant 2nd Jet Setting Jim 3rd Thecompanysergeant

Paddy Twomey won this race last year with a newcomer and could repeat the feat with LADY MAIREN. This Dubawi filly is a half-sister to a Listed winner and holds a Group 2 entry. Aidan O'Brien's Bubbling has to rate a significant threat. She finished nicely for fourth on debut at Leopardstown and has the same Group 2 option. Sea The Stars filly Marazion is highly likely to improve upon an opening sixth at the Curragh. Winners have come out of that race and she is entered in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. Kodi's Angel was very easy to back on debut in Down Royal, but showed up well in second.
Prediction : 1st Lady Mairen 2nd Bubbling 3rd Marazion

LUCKY OUT has been placed in maidens won by very useful horses at Leopardstown and the Curragh. On her latest start, she kept on for fourth in a 0-90 handicap in Leopardstown, so has a fair chance of making the breakthrough. Dermot Weld's runners have to be given a second glance at this track and his Yaxchilan is well worth a step up in trip after a keeping-on fourth over an extended 5f on debut in Navan. A tongue-strap is fitted and a big run is more than probable. No Knee Never's best form is on testing ground, so a dry forecast may not play to his strengths. He does have ability, though.
Prediction : 1st Lucky Out 2nd Yaxchilan 3rd No Knee Never

Top-weight ERZINDJAN has an each-way chance. It has been almost three years since he set foot on an Irish racecourse but, in the interim, he has been competing at a very high level in Dubai. He has switched to Paddy Twomey, who is more than adept at winning with new recruits. At the other end of the weights lurks three-year-old Old Faithful, who has had a good season so far in winning twice and being placed another couple of times. Plume Noire just failed by a head to land a big pot in the Curragh and Colin Keane has been booked. Lady Lunette is a credit to connections, while Booyea is gunning for a hat-trick. Coeur d'Or won this race last year and course form is crucial in Galway.
Prediction : 1st Erzindjan 2nd Old Faithful 3rd Plume Noire

ALPHA CAPTURE ran on strongly to get up in the final strides at Killarney and appeals off 3lb higher. He is likely to be ridden patiently again from stall 14 and although this is a drop in trip, the stiff finish will be to his liking. Chavajod was the horse caught late on in Killarney and can go well under Paddy Harnett again. Shawaamekh is more than capable of landing a blow, while Imperial Dream arrives on the back of two runner-up berths under a claimer and Billy Lee takes over. Second reserve Imposing Supreme won twice at this Festival three years ago and was only collared in the closing stages in Bellewstown at the start of the month.
Prediction : 1st Alpha Capture 2nd Chavajod 3rd Shawaamekh

ONE BOSS has made a decent start to life with Willie McCreery, which gives her a chance in this competitive handicap. She won on stable debut at Limerick and then kept on for fourth at Tipperary. Blackcastle Storm is in a good place at the minute and could follow up on his Bellewstown success, despite being hit with an 8lb hike in the weights. Clear Quartz isn't in form, but it is worth noting that he has dropped down to the mark he won this race off two years ago. Amanirenas has won two of her last three, while reserve Sirjack Thomas would be dangerous if getting a run as he has two Galway victories in the book.
Prediction : 1st One Boss 2nd Blackcastle Storm 3rd Clear Quartz