17:20 Galway
Monday 31 July 2017
All17:2017:5518:2519:0519:4020:1020:40
Galwaybayhotel.com & Radissonhotelgalway.com Novice Hurdle
- 4YO only  |  2m 130y  |  Yielding  |  8 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:21Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 3m 58.50s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Won as expected in a small-field novices hurdle at Killarney last time month; which came on the back of his maiden win at the same course the previous month. Obviously going the right way and one to seriously bear in mind again here.
Consistent without winning on the Flat during his time with Mark Johnston but has thrived since switching codes and comes here with his reputation intact. But the form of his latest start suggests he has a bit to find with Le Richebourg and he faces an acid test this afternoon. No forlorn hope of making the frame but needs everything to go his way for win only purposes.
Only modest on the Flat but has taken well to hurdling. This is a lot tougher than his Sligo maiden success from last time out and needs to up his game a fair bit. Gets on well with today's rider, whose 7lb claim is a handy tool.
One win from six starts over hurdles (which came on soft ground at Fairyhouse in April) but is fit from the Flat and has a likeable attitude. Shouldn't have too many issues with the ground and would be dangerous to underestimate.
Cost €200,000 and won in good style on racecourse debut on the Flat last September; but clobbered with a stiff looking mark afterwards. Switches codes after seemingly losing his way and comes here with a bit to prove. Represents a top yard and is related to a handful of winners over jumps, so would be noteworthy if supported.
Won his first two starts for Richard Hannon and went on to be rated 90 at his best on the Flat. Only modest progress late on during his hurdles debut last month and needs to post a much improved effort this time around.
Has a bit to find with a few of these on a literal reading of his form on the Flat. Recent hurdling debut was uninspiring. Others preferred.
Still a maiden after 19 previous attempts under both codes (0-from-10 over hurdles) and it will be surprising if she is good enough to get off the mark in this company.
Non-Runners
2
Nessun Dorma37
Weight: 11-7|Â Â Age: 4
T: W P Mullins  J: Ruby Walsh
NR
Forecasts
Le Richebourg (4/9), Nessun Dorma (9/4), Twobeelucky (11/4), Aydoun (9/1), Father Mattie (14/1), From Eden (20/1), Storm Rising (28/1), Bracklin Princess (33/1), Zauffaly (100/1)
Joseph O'Brien will have a good handle on the worth of Nessun Dorma's latest win at Galway and, while the mount of Ruby Walsh has to be respected, there are solid grounds for siding with LE RICHEBOURG, who is fancied to get the Galway Festival off to a flyer. The selection has improved for the switch to racing over timber and appears to have been presented with a good opportunity to enhance his profile. Twobeelucky and From Eden do their bit to make this an intriguing curtain raiser to the action, while support for Aydoun would have to be taken on trust as he has a bit to prove in making his debut over hurdles at this high-profile level.
- Le Richebourg
- Nessun Dorma
- Twobeelucky
Prize Money
1st: €12,320.002nd: €3,820.003rd: €1,821.004th: €820.005th: €321.00
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