Jake Price's Tuesday Horse Racing Tip at Galway

CAPTAIN RYAN MATT 1pt Win @ 7/2

This is a really interesting Beginners Chase as I think it is full of three-milers; Chart Topper was seen to best effect over 3m at Aintree in April, Road To Home was only narrowly beaten in the 3m2½f Kim Muir and 3m4½f Bet365 Gold Cup, whilst Karl Des Tourelles was last seen running over 2m7½f at Punchestown having previously disappointed over fences. The one Horse blessed with a bit of pace though is CAPTAIN RYAN MATT, and I am hopeful he can make good use of it.

This 6yo got going properly over Hurdles last August when winning a 2m Maiden Hurdle at Tramore in easy fashion, and after a couple of efforts in Handicaps he stuck back at the same track on New Year's Day - where off a mark of 116 he absolutely bolted up by 13 lengths in tremendous style. Connections didn't have any immediate plans afterwards, but he was given a bit of time off before returning in the Spring.

After 99 days off the track connections sent him to the Aintree Festival for the 2m Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, and John Gleeson was booked. Given a very prominent ride, CAPTAIN RYAN MATT was serving it up to eventual first-past-the-post Laafi (142) and he even jumped the last in the lead - but he did set himself up to closers, and on the long run in they eventually took aim. He didn't have much left to give in the closing 100yards, but he clung on for 5th which was upgraded to 4th after Laafi was disqualified. It was still a nice effort off a new mark of 132 after a break however, and I think it is a level of form which highlights him as being capable of winning this Beginners.

This point-to-point recruit may have a big PU next to his Ballingarry run but I think it is safe to say that he did not stay the 3m trip that day as he stopped to nothing very quickly. This 2m2f distance should provide perfect conditions to show what he can do however, and as mentioned at the top, I would like to see him utilise his speed to get away from these more staying types. If he jumps well, then surely he can do just that. It is not unusual for an Affinisea to leave their Hurdles form behind when going over fences either, with the likes of Affordale Fury, Only By Night, Sixmilebridge and Bluey all making up into much better Chasers.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead wanted to get him going in a Beginners at Galway on the 7th September but he was a non-runner due to coughing, so you shouldn't imagine that fitness will be a big negative