17:55 Galway
Monday 31 July 2017
All17:2017:5518:2519:0519:4020:1020:40
Easyfix Handicap Hurdle (88-109)
- 4YO plus  |  2m 130y  |  Yielding  |  20 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:57Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 3m 55.6s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Paid his way over the years but now needs a personal best effort to carry topweight to victory at this level. Should have benefited from the run at Down Royal on seasonal return in May but others look to have more feasible claims at the weights.
Still a maiden after 16 previous attempts, his weaknesses are there for all to see. Has gone well over C&D before but there has to be a suspicion that he'll find at least one or two more determined in a finish.
On a long losing run but back on a handy mark as a result. Hasn't fared too well on two previous visits to Galway though and, considering his two effort this season have been poor, the case for voting against him is strong.
Decent on the Flat and has shown promise over hurdles on numerous occasion. Yet to win over Jumps but gets on well with Davy Russell and cannot be discounted.
Consistent type type that has made the frame in almost half his races over hurdles. Frustratingly, yet to win one and now on a career highest mark. But can at least be relied upon to give his all and no surprise to see him thereabouts once more.
One of the lesser exposed types but has a bit to find on form and may be best watched in such a competitive event.
Completion rate not the most convincing aspect of his recent profile but should act under the predicted conditions and entitled to respect. However, it's debatable as to whether a stiffer test of stamina would be more suitable for him these days.
One win from 13 starts and lived up to his name a tad of late. last two efforts need to be improved upon and remains to be seen how he will handle this tight track. others preferred.
Won from a mark of 65 over 10F on the Flat in May but has been disappointing since. Returns to Jumping with something to prove and others look more convincing.
Well behind Nessun Dorma (runs in the opening race) when last seen over hurdles but has been kept ticking over on the Flat since. Now on lowest career handicap mark but still makes limited appeal.
Former point-to-pointer that is still open to improvement under rules. Current yard obviously trying a few options as the gelding drops significantly in trip. Probably best watched this time around.
Back over timber after limited success over fences. Always been better in this sphere and is on a handy mark if able to recapture his best. Rain getting into the ground would boost his cause.
Still unexposed and makes only his second start in a handicap. Drop in trip should be fine and worth a check in the betting. Yard very quiet though.
Only one win since October 2014 is off-putting and hard to see him turning back the clock judging by recent efforts. Looks set for a minor role unless others dramatically under perform.
Not too many miles on the clock but form just ordinary so far and has a bit to prove back in a handicap after failing to make an impact in a novice hurdle last time.
Third in a decent little race last time - winner franked the form by going in again since, so the portents look good if she handles the switch back to timber from fences. Gone well over C&D in the past so not without a chance of making the frame.
Won a maiden over 1m6f for Aidan O'Brien on the Flat but faces a stiff test on handicap debut in this sphere. Obviously respect for his connections and worth a look in the betting. Supporting him requires a leap of faith that he can improve again but he's going the right way; and no surprise to see him go close.
Respected as a consistent performer but is hard to win with over hurdles and looks opposable even though he is on a handy mark just now.
One win from 15 starts over hurdles but has made the frame on five occasions, so can't knocked for attitude. Latest start reads respectably in the context of this race and is another worth considering for a place in the frame at least.
Second in a conditional riders race last time bodes well for his return to Ireland. Formerly with John Joseph Hanlon, the gelding has improved for his current yard but does need to step things up considerably here.
Non-Runners
21
Dixie Highway9
Weight: 11-5|Â Â Age: 6
T: P J Flynn  J: Reserve 1
NR
22
Ceide Fields25
Weight: 11-5|Â Â Age: 6
T: G Elliott  J: Reserve 2
NR
23
Touch Of Gold11
Weight: 10-12|Â Â Age: 4
T: M Kennedy  J: Reserve 3
NR
Forecasts
Artful Artist (4/1), Palmabad (13/2), Successor (8/1), The Irregular (9/1), Canny Tom (9/1), Bashful Beauty (10/1), Touch Of Gold (10/1), Riverrainshine (12/1), Ceide Fields (12/1), Weightfordave (14/1), Dixie Highway (14/1), Newstart (16/1), He's Our Man (16/1), Mountain Kingdom (16/1), Pateen (20/1), Solar Heat (20/1), Crazywork De Vassy (20/1), Empresario (25/1), The Last Marju (33/1), Bellgrove (33/1), Whatsinthecorner (33/1), Smadynium (33/1), He Is Top Class (33/1)
As is typical of Galway Festival races, this is modest fare but still a highly competitive handicap. The likes of: Successor and Artful Artist are still open to improvement and merit serious consideration if the market vibes are positive about either, while Bellgrove is interesting back over hurdles and would come into the reckoning if rain were to creep into the ground. However, a chance is taken with CANNY TOM, who is a consistent individual that rarely runs a bad race. He can represent good value for an each-way punt in a fiendishly tricky handicap.
- Canny Tom
- Successor
- Artful Artist
Prize Money
1st: €9,239.002nd: €2,865.003rd: €1,365.004th: €615.005th: €240.00
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