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Every bit as competitive as The Plate, and as much a minefield…….
https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/183/galway/2017-08-03/681588
Plenty who appeal here, including 2 horses who I’ve already got one eye on for The Ebor.
As per usual, Ivan Grozny is on my shortlist again, but he does come with risks attached, as he clearly wasn’t 100% last time out, and I suspect that for a good part of last campaign, he wasn’t 100% either. Willie Mullins pulled him from The Northumberland Plate pretty late on, as he wasn’t happy with him, and he might just be hard to keep right, having already had a lengthy spell on the sidelines. When he’s good though, he’s very good, and I haven’t totally written off an early Ante-Post play here at 20’s. There’s just the thought that he might not make it though, as he hasn’t looked himself lately, but if in the same form as at Aintree last year, then he’ll walk it. Regardless of the risks, and The Ebor could be his main target, he’s simply huge at 20’s
As mentioned, The Ebor might also be on the agenda for the very versatile, and very likeable Swamp Fox. Tidy winner at Killarney last week, continuing a decent run from him, and no surprise to see him shine at The Festival, considering the range of targets open to him. He looks very good value at the 16’s, and he won here last year. He’s versatile, in the form of his life, and one to consider next week, whichever race he takes in.
After a washout in The Plate last year, The Hurdle went much better, with 2 decent each way returns, including Princely Conn at odds of 70’s and above, that was a very nice return, and I think it’s safe to say he won’t be that price this year. Not out much since then, and this looked as if it would always be the plan. Nice run at Ballinrobe last night on the level, and that should have him spot on for this. One of the main negatives for me would be that he’s owned by JP, and in a race he seriously targets, then he might have one of his others in mind for this, but at 16’s he’s worth a an early go
I’m currently waiting out another JP horse, and it’s Western Boy. He did me a proper turn at Punchestown this year, and I’ve had this race in mind for him ever since. He’s excellent value for his 8lb rise, and even though I wanted a lot more than 12’s, I’ll take it, and I’ll top up should he go bigger. Very nice horse, and I’ll be disappointed if he can’t play a part here.
As mentioned a proper JP Race this one, and he’s got plenty more in there, including Plinth, fresh from taking care of Ivan Grozny in The Grimes Hurdle, the very promising Timyan & After Rain, and about 20 others
I think Timiyan could be a very nice recruit for JP, but it seems too much hard work chewing over his entries here, and despite Timiyan looking extremely progressive, I’m happy with small early go’s on Princely Conn, and especially Western Boy, who I’m mad keen on here.Much like the JP contingent, it looks equally as difficult to pick the bones out of the Mullins entries, and I’ll stick with Ivan Grozny of his lot, though he has his usual nice string here, and take your pick.
John Constable is finally gettin his act together, and he’s fresh from 2 impressive victories. This requires more, but with the assistance of Davy Russell in the saddle, further improvement is not out of the question. It’s debatable how much improvement his stablemate Court Minstrel has in him, he’s now a 10yo, but he continues to run well, and I’d love to see him here. Books taking no chances at 16’s for him, though you’d want the rain to stay away.
The race looks incredibly trappy, but there are 3 others who warrant a mention at this stage. Zubayr at 20’s, had a spin on the all weather, after his agonising 2nd in The Scottish Champion Hurdle, and he merits respect, while a horse who I think will land a prize like this, sooner rather than later, is Joey Sasa, who’s a 16-1 shot here. Finally, Is She Diesel, who’s been in fine form this season, and further progression looks on the cards.
Not going mad then, but a couple of early goes on Princely Conn, and Western Boy will do for now. I’ll almost certainly add to those 2 on the day, and I will not desert Ivan Grozny either.
GL
Good old Court Minstrel is going to get me for a few quid if he runs here.
He’s not quite what he used to be but would have won with a more proactive ride at Stratford last time. He can still win races from his current mark and the big field/fast ground scenario is exactly what he wants.
There must be a few better handicapped horses in here but I’ll probably play him each-way on the day.
Plinth (dangerous if back to somewhere near best and JOB’s hurdlers in form) and Zubayr (I liked Ayr run, Nicholls sounds keen to send him, kept nicely ticking over on the Flat)
both 20s E/W Boylesports for meHe’s been a very good horse to me Soldier, and if he does go, I’ll have to have a sentimental play, he’s still got one last hurrah in him I reckon, best of luck with him
I’m just getting a bit worried about the ground, Bobby. My Irish correspondent thinks it could be soft on the day, so that would be curtains for the Minstrel.
Similar worries for the one I wanted to smash up in the plate – Shanpallas. :(
Yeah, if that’s the case, then it would be a serious problem for him surely, which is a shame. Thought he ran Ok at Haydck as well.
Third year in a row Shanpallas has been a big fancy for me at Galway, got me 5 places on the day 2 years, but barely covered my Ante-Post on him, and he was my biggest Ante-Post loser of the summer, when he didn’t trap last year. I’ll bet him wherever he goes (if the rain stays away), but ain’t touching him Ante-Post this year lol
Plinth (dangerous if back to somewhere near best and JOB’s hurdlers in form) and Zubayr (I liked Ayr run, Nicholls sounds keen to send him, kept nicely ticking over on the Flat)
both 20s E/W Boylesports for meI bet him at Ayr mate, and he could not have been closer. I am holding fire with this race before the final declarations are known, but he is the main fancy right now
Still looks way too tough to take a real stand here, but as much as Swamp Fox is more than capable of running well here twice in a week, the inclusion of Ivan Grozny here, makes my mind up………….and he’s 25’s
I am glad I did not go early for Zubayr as Nichols has decided not to send him. It is a tough race and I will study it tonight, but I think one selection may be sensible here for me
Am on Tigris River and Ornua here.
Tigris looks primed for this after running fifth last year and Ornua could be a handicpa blot on his handicap debut!!
Disappointed to see that Princely Conn is a Non Runner, but as I haven’t went mad on the race yet, and as I’m not down much at all on the week, I will top up on Western Boy, and Ivan Grozny at the 6 places or on Betfair nearer the time. I’m also going to bring in a sub, as this is a race where I like to have 3 running for me. I’ve added Ancient Sands each way, who ran well in this last year, comes here off the same mark, and has an interesting jockey booking in Rachael Blackmore, who made the frame last year. I was surprised to see her not on a JP Runner, particularly before Princely Conn was pulled, and I’m taking this as a good sign. 28’s with 6 places looks value to me.
I’ve went on about Western Boy, and Ivan Grozny plenty of times before on here, and I’d love to see them land it, but Ancient Sands would be equally welcome.
GL all
I’ve backed Tigris River to win at 13/2. Gerraghty had the choice of plenty here and I trust he’s made the right call. Classy, progressive, on a good mark and represents powerful connections. He ticks plenty of boxes. I’m on Plinth and Ferggal each-way both at 25/1. Plinth just looks overpriced given what he’s achieved and Fergall spent the winter running crackers in similarly tough races and should be there or thereabouts again at a nice price.
I thought AIRLIE BEACH looked like she was top class last year leading
up to the Festival. She didn’t quite match up to that in the Novice Hurdle there, looking
competitive until she tired at the last and was heavily eased. She’s run okay at 2m4 since,
particularly behind Apples Jade at Punchestown, although that one won well. I think the
drop back down to 2m with the strong pace likely here should suit her. I’ve taken the 12/1
e/w 5 places with Paddy power. It’s very competitive and a case can be made for most, I’ll
watch the odds and likely have an e/w on PROJECT BLUEBOOK at 16/1 if I can’t
get better. Good luck guys
I think Timiyan could be a very nice recruit for JP, but it seems too much hard work chewing over his entries here, and despite Timiyan looking extremely progressive, I’m happy with small early go’s on Princely Conn, and especially Western Boy, who I’m mad keen on here.
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