4:35 GUINNESS NOVICE HURDLE (4YO) 2M
Willie Mullins came to the fore yesterday after a quiet opening days. He supplies the top two in the market with Triumph Hurdle sixth Tax For Max the preferred of Paul Townend with him receiving 7lb from Farout. He has been too keen for his own good though and the uphill finish will test him.
Ilmig, a son of Galileo, took his time to break his maiden over hurdles, winning in Cork from today’s rival Carrarea.
SEELCTION: Farout Next best: Tax For Max
5:10 GUINNESS OPEN GATE BREWERY BEGINNERS CHASE (5YO+) 2M6½F
A high quality novice chase with former Cheltenham winners Bleu Berry and City Island.
City Island’s recent form of P, four of four, P, is a long way from his Cheltenham novice win.
Bleu Berry returned with a win in Punchestown in May over Snow Falcon showing he retains his ability and his owners like a Galway winner.
Streets of Doyen found Grade 1 company too hot in the spring but his early season form last winter was excellent and he looks to have the scope for fences.
SELECTION: Bleu Berry Next Best: Streets of Doyen
5:45 ROCKSHORE NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 3) (4YO+) 2M2F
Gin On Lime is on a four-timer but faces a stiffer task than her last two odds-on victory and is without Rachael Blackmore’s assistance. Slick jumping was a feature of her wins and she has a longer run home here.
Fan De Blues was on a few dark horse lists for Cheltenham and got off the mark over fences with an easy win at Punchestown in May. He will give the mare a test.
SELECTION: Fan De Blues Next Best: Gin On Lime
6:15 GUINNESS GALWAY HURDLE HANDICAP (GRADE A) (4YO+) 2M
Four of the last five carried 11st or more and three were trained by Willie Mullins.
Burning Victory’s lack of hurdling experience would be a concern though her French flat win set her up for this. Saldier has been given many chances to return to his Grade 1 winning form and is passed over off top weight of 11st 10lb.
Belfast Banter won the County Hurdle of 10st, now a Grade 1 winner rated 144, he gets in on a decent mark with 10st 13lb and the race will suit his running style.
Cape Gentleman is almost a novice though a classy one with a Grade 2 win in Britain and you imagine this is a long term plan. He was too far back at Royal Ascot to get involved.
Magic Tricks is to the front of the market more on what he might do rather than what he has done.
Winner Takes Itall looked the leading JP contender and can complete a great year for Simon Torrens in the green and gold.
SELECTION: Winner Takes Itall Next Best: Belfast Banter
6:45 ARTHUR GUINNESS HANDICAP HURDLE (4YO+ 80-109) 2M
A race to hold on to your Galway Hurdle winnings in a 20-runner handicap.
Denis Hogan was among the winners already and his Karakhan might be worth support.
Brian McMahon also makes a bold bid for a local winner and Karawaan’s Tipperary second puts him in the mix.
SELECTION: Karakhan Next Best Karawaan
7:15 GUINNESS NOVICE HURDLE (4YO+) 2M4½F
Another good quality novice hurdle with two Mullins contenders out to spoil Banbridge’s four-timer. M C Muldoon just failed in the Ascot Stakes and had been a beaten favourite in a Punchestown handicap previously. The form looks better than the Joseph O’Brien runner
SELECTION: M C Muldoon Next Best: Banbridge
7:45 GUINNESS 0.0% HANDICAP HURDLE (4YO+) 3M
Emmet, Willie and Tom Mullins supply the market favourites. Mike O’Connor takes 7lb of Blackstair Rocco and he looks on a winnable mark. If Manitopark AA can shake off her last disappoint run, she can chase him home with Paul Townend on board.
SELECTION: Blackstair Rocco Next Best: Manitopark AA
8:15 GUINNESS TIME INH FLAT RACE (5-7YO) 2M2½F
It looks like Willie again in the bumper with Dads Lad bringing a high level of form among these, for all that he’s been a beaten odds on favourite twice.
SELECTION: Dads Lad Next Best: Carfax