UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

THE ENABLER should be very hard to beat on his first start over hurdles. A dual bumper winner last season, the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding won in Listed company at Navan in December. Far from disgraced when fifth in a Grade 2 bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival on his final outing, he looks a class apart here. A strong stayer on the Flat, Jabbar would be a threat if taking to jumping. The Gerard O'Leary-trained five-year-old, who improved throughout the season, has the potential to make up into a nice hurdler for connections. Thurles bumper winner Blaze The Way will find this easier, having been set a stiff task before ultimately pulling up in a Grade 2 hurdle on his first start over flights.
Prediction : 1st The Enabler 2nd Jabbar 3rd Blaze The Way

Twice a winner over fences, LAR'S LASS can exploit a 15lb lower hurdles mark. Having shown a hint of ability over flights earlier in her career, the Tom Dreaper-trained mare won two point-to-points before coming through the Hunter Chase ranks. A winner in that latter discipline at Cork last April, she subsequently won a handicap chase at Punchestown. Following a promising fourth on her recent return to hurdling at Ballinrobe, the Ocovango mare should take beating. Mandarin Monarch has been off the track for 712 days but if ready for this race the locally trained gelding is undoubtedly well handicapped. A winner off a mark of 112 in his prime, the Paul Gilligan-trained 11-year-old run off 95 here. Course winner Tullyhogue Fort also merits respect.
Prediction : 1st Lars Lass 2nd Mandarin Monarch 3rd Tullyhogue Fort

Iggy Madden has saddled a couple of winners at his local track in recent months and can strike here with DREAM SHAPER. The Morpheus gelding showed plenty of promise when coming from off the pace to finish fifth in a big-field contest over 2m1f here last month and, over this longer trip, can turn around form with the winner Wee Charlie. The latter, up 8lb for that victory on his first start for Ger O'Leary, stays further than this trip and is greatly respected. Jinxs Link was a winner on quick ground at Down Royal and is 5lb higher, while Depalma shaped well in maidens earlier in the year and looks the pick of Colm Murphy's pair of handicap debutants.
Prediction : 1st Dream Shaper 2nd Wee Charlie 3rd Depalma

BUDDY ONE can be another winner for the locals here. Paul Gilligan's seven-year-old was a very progressive staying hurdler last term and ran well in Grade 1 company at the spring festivals including when fourth to Teahupoo at Cheltenham and second at Aintree. He faces some experienced rivals but the small field should be a help and this looks a nice starting point for him over the larger obstacles. The other three clashed in a handicap at Listowel which was won by Donacheady Gale but he was getting a lot of weight on that occasion and, on these terms, Flanking Maneuver, a good third in a course and distance handicap in August, may fare best in the rematch.
Prediction : 1st Buddy One 2nd Flanking Maneuver 3rd Donacheady Gale

Several of the main contenders would prefer further and more of an ease in the ground. The vote goes to chasing debutant ANYWAY, who impressed in a handicap hurdle at Killarney in August which saw his mark raised by a whopping 19lbs. His new rating of 135 compares favourably with most of these and he handles good ground well. Will Do has winning form over much further but has point-to-point experience and a good record when fresh. He should do well over fences this season. Sequestered was another with useful hurdles form last term and has some smart chasers in his pedigree. One Last Tango will be more suited by this trip than most and may contend if taking to fences.
Prediction : 1st Anyway 2nd Will Do 3rd Sequestered

Cottage Artist is likely to struggle, but a case can be made for the remainder. Successful with Hashtag Pretender and Apple's Of Bresil in recent days, Barry Connell and Michael O'Sullivan might strike again with FARROKH. Placed on his last three starts, the French bred five-year-old certainly wouldn't be winning out of turn. In fine form at present, Likeable Chancer is sure to have plenty of supporters, while Our Bobby might be able to bounce back from a below par effort at Wexford. Successful 12 times between them, Ricky Langford, Hazelhatch Lady and Kilmurry Jj all warrant respect in this competitive affair.
Prediction : 1st Farrokh 2nd Likable Chancer 3rd Our Bobby

After his antics at Listowel, RURAL LINK is given the chance to redeem himself. Running out when still in with every chance at the Co Kerry venue, he might just prefer going right handed. Fifth and seventh in that Listowel contest, Marine Ranger and Our Haybob warrant respect, while Live Aid will need to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Kilbeggan if he is to feature. One of three fillies in the line-up, Time In A Bottle should put it up to the selection. A half-sister to Embassy Gardens, she has three solid efforts to her name and will be aided by the 7lb claim of Daniel Hyde. Out of a half-sister to The Romford Pele, a market check is advised for Charles Byrnes-trained debutant Ifallgoeswell.
Prediction : 1st Rural Link 2nd Time In A Bottle 3rd Marine Ranger