Jake Price's Tips for Saturday & Sunday at the Galway Festival

Galway - Saturday 15:12

DREAM ON BABY 1pt EW (6 Places) @ 17/2

This is certainly a competitive 20 runner Handicap, but I am extremely keen on the chances of Emmet Mullins’ DREAM ON BABY, who enjoyed a very fruitful campaign last season yet still looks a well handicapped Mare who has been prepped for this target.

There must be a sense of unfinished business from her connections as 12 months ago she was withdrawn late on when an 8/1 chance for this very race, and subsequently she all but unseated at Killarney when a suitable replacement race was found. Her season certainly did not get off to the start that was expected then, but when stepped up in trip to 2m5f at Kempton in November she virtually made all of the running to land a Listed Mares’ Hurdle.

Leading is clearly a tactic which suits her well as on her next two starts she once again ran blinders - firstly at Leopardstown over Christmas when third in the Grade 3 Mares Hurdle behind Wodhooh (154) and Feet Of A Dancer (144). When stepped up in trip to 3m½f at Doncaster in January for the Grade 2 Yorkshire Rose she looked to have all her rivals put to the sword, and jumping the last she still had a healthy advantage – but once again her old rival Feet Of A Dancer was able to find enough to score.

Connections gave this 6yo a preparation race for this Listed Handicap by running her on the Flat in a 1m4f Maiden at Tramore earlier this month where she ran fine in third place, and this 2m6½f trip should be absolutely ideal considering she only gave out in the very closing stages at Doncaster. Considering she is rated 141 in Britain an Irish mark of 134 looks very attractive, and we know that Emmet Mullins is one of the best target trainers around.

DREAM ON BABY 1pt EW (6 Places) @ 17/2

Galway - Sunday 15:30

LE NEZ CREUX 1pt Win @ _/_

Connections have had to be very smart with the campaigning of LE NEX CREUX since she came across from France, but by running her at Ayr in April they were able to use her British mark of 132 rather than an Irish mark which would have been a higher conversion from her French mark – and as she didn’t win, the Irish assessor has decided to keep her on 132 for her first race in Ireland.

Back in her early days under Bryony Frost she was quite a keen going Mare who was beaten a few times when trying to do too much on the front end, but once Angelo Zuliani took over the reins he got her to settle much better, and over fences she ended up winning twice – including by 12 lengths at Auteuil in October where she beat Ocre by 12 lengths, and that rival won a Grade 3 on her next start.

That new more settled view on life was put to the test at Ayr in April as the race contained plenty of pace, with Matata, Palacio and Sans Bruit all leading at various stages during the race. Robcour’s Mare was kept off the pace by Conor Stone-Walsh where she jumped pretty well for a first attempt at steeplechase fences, and turning for home she made up plenty of ground for a second place – but the bird had already flown with Moudan (139) winning.

The reason why I think Gavin Cromwell has targeted this Galway Handicap Chase with her next though is because she is a typical French Mare who acts well at Auteuil, where they often race over trips of two-and-a-quarter miles. In fact she won her Hurdles debut over 2m2f in September 2024, and that aforementioned October victory came over 2m1½f. This unique 2m2f trip at Galway should be absolutely perfect for her then, and with Blood Destiny running off a mark of 150, she only has to carry 10st8lbs.

Whilst stable form is far from ideal, I think this Mare has plenty more to give for the Jumps campaign ahead, and this could provide her with a nice opportunity to pick up a decent pot. Her record fresh is pretty impressive too, with form figures of 1212 after a 100+ day absence.

LE NEZ CREUX 1pt Win @ _/_