UK Horse Racing Tips: Galway

WUNDERSCHON offered enough encouragement in her first three appearances to warrant a tilt at the Eyrefield Stakes and she emerged from that Leopardstown Group 3 with her reputation enhanced in fourth. On that evidence, a maiden win should be a formality, although Petticoat Bay gave herself something to build on when third at the Curragh and significant improvement is anticipated. Itstheonlyoneigot surpassed market expectations at Gowran Park, while San Juan De Lope doesn't have a previous outing under her belt but cost 280,000 euros as a yearling and must be given careful consideration.
Prediction : 1st Wunderschon 2nd San Juan De Lope 3rd Petticoat Bay

Highbury See See sports a first-time visor after winning in determined fashion at Leopardstown, although a 6lb rise isn't ideal. JP'S EXPRESS returned to form with a close-up third at the Curragh and Michael Mulvany's gelding did well having been caught wide for much of the contest so it's quite possible that he'll be able to go a couple of places better. Handicap newcomer Stable Lane was no match for an easy winner at Limerick, but looks competitively treated from an opening mark of 71. The veteran Excuzio Joe is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Jps Express 2nd Highbury See See 3rd Stable Lane

IMPOSING showed notable improvement on his second start when a front-running second to a smart-looking stablemate over this trip at Leopardstown, and can go one better with Jack Cleary maintaining the partnership. The second Ballydoyle runner Oklahoma chased home Futurity Trophy winner Giant Sequoia on debut, but has been a beaten favourite on all three runs since that. Nonsense was unfancied when making a promising debut at the Curragh, where he ran second to yet another Aidan O'Brien-trained juvenile. Dawnmore is more exposed than the other principals, but his experience will be an asset in testing conditions.
Prediction : 1st Imposing 2nd Nonsense 3rd Dawnmore

There was money for SILK TWIST on his handicap debut at Gowran Park, but he found himself in an impossible position at that speed-favouring track after being slow to gather stride. Brought to the outside in the straight, he stuck on reasonably well and can make the most of his light weight in this ordinary contest. Gabby Hayes ran a good race on heavy ground when third at the Curragh and possibly didn't enjoy the surface at Dundalk last time. Wecouldhavehaditall was a front-running third over 1m in a Naas nursery before a respectable effort in maiden company at Killarney, and dropping back in trip may help. Melchizedek showed a lot more on his third maiden start when fifth at Thurles.
Prediction : 1st Silk Twist 2nd Gabby Hayes 3rd Wecouldavehaditall

A well-bred daughter of Wootton Bassett, ABIDING MEMORY made some late headway over this trip when fifth at Naas on her debut earlier in the month and might improve sufficiently to land this end-of-season maiden. Spacebound went close on testing ground at the Curragh back in March and again ran well at that venue when fourth in a handicap last time. A mile seemed to stretch him on that occasion and this trip may be a better fit, with a hood now applied for the first time. Saliba has been runner-up over 1m1f and an extended 1m2f, so the question mark against his name is whether he'll be sharp enough to cope over this distance.
Prediction : 1st Abiding Memory 2nd Spacebound 3rd Saliba

LA TULIPE NOIRE hit form at the end of last season and appears to be coming to hand again. She was behind Tariff and God Knows when fourth at the Curragh last week and may be able to reverse those placings on ground that she handles well. God Knows, second of 23 in that one-mile contest, represents a small yard that are enjoying a purple patch and she won't mind testing conditions either. The winner Tariff is at the top of his game, but has been busy of late and may prefer better ground. Capolinea showed promise over a longer trip on her handicap debut and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st La Tulipe Noire 2nd God Knows 3rd Capolinea

SLURRICANE bids to gain successive wins in this particular contest and he gets in here off 1lb lower than when victorious 12 months ago. Ross O'Sullivan's charge returned to form over hurdles at Listowel last time, and he can build on that now. Ben Hur and Ballybawn Belter are closely matched on hurdles form, but the former won a Leopardstown handicap before jumping errors arguably cost him the Lartigue hurdle. Ballybawn Belter comfortably scored in a Killarney maiden last time and unlike most of her sire's offspring, she handles cut in the ground. Any market moves for Royal Saxo would be extremely interesting as he continues to slip down the weights.
Prediction : 1st Slurricane 2nd Ben Hur 3rd Ballybawn Belter

INVER BAY brings the strongest form to the table as she seeks to complete a hat-trick. The daughter of Califet won comfortably over hurdles at Roscommon before following up on the level at the same venue. Aidan Howard's mare was raised 7lb for that success, but she should be able to cope with that. Top weight Dark Summit has a definite chance eased in grade and stepped up in trip. Joey Sheridan retains the ride, and he is seemingly improving with every run for Paul Flynn. The Rock Factor may also be worth monitoring in the market.
Prediction : 1st Inver Bay 2nd Dark Summit 3rd The Rock Factor