UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

Willie Mullins has won this race eight times in the past decade and MY GREAT MATE heads a three-pronged challenge by the Closutton maestro who also saddles bumper winers Uncle Pat and Where's My Jet. The selection beat Arctic Gale in a bumper here 12 months ago before following up at Punchestown and was only caught close home when switched to hurdles in a 22-runner maiden also at Punchestown last month. Don'tstopthemusic was runner-up in a bumper here last summer before scoring in good style at the Punchestown Festival and also has the experience of a hurdle run on debut, while Lightkeeper and Isle Of Sark are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st My Great Mate 2nd Dontstopthemusic 3rd Lightkeeper

SO THEY TELL ME showed some promise in maidens and relished the step up in trip when successful over 2m7f at Punchestown last month with a number of these rivals behind. A 7lb rise for that win seems fair and the Flemensfirth gelding has plenty of scope for improvement. Paggane looks an obvious threat having won twice over hurdles this year including over 3m1f at Kilbeggan, while UK raider Ballintubber Boy also comes here in good form having made all in a staying handicap at Huntingdon. The handicapper has taken firm action after Desert Cave's wide margin win at Kilbeggan handing out a 26lb hike, while Talk In The Park and Routine Excellence are others to note.
Prediction : 1st So They Tell Me 2nd Paggane 3rd Ballintubber Boy

ENFRANCHISE looks well treated and is proven at the track having won a maiden hurdle 12 months ago and also finished second in the Listed Oyster Stakes. The selection made a winning return in the Listed Vintage Tipple Stakes at Gowran and was a creditable fifth off a mark of 97 in the big two-mile handicap here on Monday. Mount Sinai represents the champion trainer and the Clonmel maiden winner could be suited by this better ground, while Gone For Tea opened her account over hurdles at Sligo last time and may prove the pick of Peter Fahey's trio. Kimy has appreciated better ground on her latest two starts and the form of her second to Gaucher in a 22-runner maiden at Punchestown last month has worked out well since.
Prediction : 1st Enfranchise 2nd Kimy 3rd Mount Sinai

REDWOOD QUEEN has progressed in leaps and bounds over hurdles this year winning five times and rising a total of 40lb to a mark of 129. She readily landed the odds at Killarney last time and makes plenty of appeal switching to the Flat. Alfheim was having her first start on turf when fourth to Hanalia in a Curragh maiden and the form of that race has been working out well, while Man Of Worth beat all bar Alonzo at Sligo and is another with scope for improvement. Patrick Mullins is an interesting booking on Cast A Spell, while the Joseph O'Brien-trained pair Mazyad and Shoda are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Redwood Queen 2nd Alfheim 3rd Cast A Spell

The Harry Fry-trained IN EXCELSIS DEO can take one of the main prizes of the week back across the Irish Sea. Having been hampered by a faller four out, the gelding ran a remarkable race when staying on strongly to finish fifth in the Festival Plate at Cheltenham on his penultimate start. Following a confidence-boosting win back at that same track, he should be a leading contender under Jonathan Burke. His owner JP McManus has another strong contender in Perceval Legallois. A faller at the last when in with every chance in a Grade 3 handicap chase at Leopardstown in February, the Gavin Cromwell-trained seven-year-old was runner-up last time out. Lets Go Champ is very unexposed, despite his obvious inexperience, while Mister Policeman has to be respected.
Prediction : 1st In Excelsis Deo 2nd Perceval Legallois 3rd Lets Go Champ

Third in what was arguably a stronger contest at the Curragh last time, THOR'S HAMMER holds leading claims. A winner at Killarney on his penultimate outing, Johnny Murtagh's colt kept on well to take minor honours. Well drawn in stall two, the son of Night Of Thunder can gain a prominent early position, which is an advantage around here. Limerick maiden winner September Leaves hasn't been seen to best effect in two tactical races subsequently. Fitted with first-time blinkers, the Jessica Harrington-trained filly can make her presence felt for her in-form stable. Monasterboice, who seemed to appreciate the additional furlong when opening his account at Killarney, should enjoy this test of stamina.
Prediction : 1st Thors Hammer 2nd September Leaves 3rd Monasterboice

The Shark Hanlon-trained HALLOWED STAR is a real course specialist who seldom runs a bad race at his favoured venue. Runner-up in a bumper here, he has subsequently won over both hurdles and fences, as well as finishing sixth on the Flat here last year. On the latter occasion, he was drawn out very wide and suffered an interrupted passage before staying on late. From stall four, the nine-year-old should have much better prospects this time. Grappa Nonino has to be a live contender if Chris Hayes is able to overcome an outside berth. The Dermot Weld-trained five-year-old travelled particularly well when runner-up at the Curragh on his penultimate outing. Jabbar has to prove his stamina, but should be involved if staying this trip on his first attempt.
Prediction : 1st Hallowed Star 2nd Grappa Nonino 3rd Jabbar