19:20 Galway

Wednesday 1 August 2018

All17:1017:4018:1018:4519:2020:0020:30

thetote.com Galway Plate (Grade A Handicap Chase)

Off time: 19:20 | Winning time: 5m 29.80s

Sub Lieutenant^t⁹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D Robinson⁽³⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 158

16/1

Fine chaser who has mixed it with the best over the years and has to give weight away here to some very talented rivals. On the pick of his form however could still go well and is respected.

Form: 353454-

Valseur Lido¹⁰⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 153

14/1

Often runs well fresh and has been eased 5lb since finishing eighth in the Grand National at Aintree last April. Rider in sizzling form so looks one to seriously consider.

Form: 4/55538-

Alelchi Inois^t³⁶⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁵⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 149| CD

50/1

Has won three times here in the past including at the 2016 Festival, but lost his way since January last year and hasn't been seen since pulling up in this very race 12 months ago. 7lb lower now but has something to prove.

Form: 447PP/P-

Jury Duty^t⁹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 149| D

7/1

Smart novice chase last term winning a Grade 2 and finishing second in a Grade 1. Represents top jockey-trainer combination and looks sure to prove popular in his first handicap chase off good racing weight.

Form: 2122U3-

Snow Falcon¹¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 148| D

11/1

Unseated in Irish National and pulled up in Grade 1 at Aintree on last two starts last season. Been a very useful hurdler and wouldn't be without a chance if able to put his turn of foot to use if close enough going to the last.

Form: 2315UP-

Clarcam^b,t⁹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott| OR: 147

33/1

Two Grade novice chases to his name four seasons back, and has run plenty of good races since. Landed Grade 2 Fortria Chase over two miles at Navan last November. Goes well fresh so 98-day break not an issue.

Form: 00/1460-

Koshari⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

12/1

Decent chaser at his best with plenty of cut in the ground so any rain would certainly aid his chances. Fell at Punchestown in April and returns now following summer break. Still young and open to improvement.

Form: 4/12P1F-

Rock The World^p,t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: J S McGarvey| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 147| C

66/1

Ninth in the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March over two miles and tackles his longest race to date off 6lb lower mark. Stamina may be an issue though at this level.

Form: 25049-7

Tully East²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: A Fleming| OR: 146

12/1

Won listed handicap chase at the 2017 Cheltenham Festival and was good third on penultimate start lats etrm in hot Punchestown handicap chase off 6lb higher mark. Further 2lb higher now so doesn't look obviously well handicapped.

Form: 1P/463-8

Calino D'Airy¹¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 145| C

12/1

2-2 over fences here at 2m2f and has serious chance if reproducing third to smart Finian's Oscar in Garde 1 at Aintree in April. 7lb higher and steps up in trip but is one to consider.

Form: F/11303-

Kitten Rock³⁹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Mark Walsh| T: E J O'Grady| OR: 145

20/1

Has been difficult to keep sound last few seasons and not seen since fine runner-up in Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle in July last year. Run just four times over fences but met top rivals and any money would be significant after absence.

Form: 6132F/2-

Neverushacon^p,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: P D Kennedy| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 145| C

20/1

Easily won minor event at Limerick last month and just 2lb higher here. Likes this track and won 2m2f handicap chase at this meeting last year off 9lb lower mark.

Form: 6482-11

Peregrine Run¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: R Loughran| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 145

20/1

Third in Grade 3 novice chase at this fixture 12 months ago and has been lightly raced since then. Has ability and is 3-6 over fences having previously been a graded winning hurdler. Interesting.

Form: 21131U-

Haymount^t1³⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144

14/1

Stays very well but can also mix it at this trip and shorter. Pulled up when fancied for this race 12 months ago and not seen since, now running off 1lb lower mark. Has a touch of class and usually goes well fresh. Has first time tongue-tie.

Form: 24337/P-

Lord Scoundrel^b,t⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Donagh Meyler| T: G Elliott| OR: 144| CD

33/1

Better for recent spin over hurdles at Down Royal. Won this race in 2016 but has failed to finish in four of his last six outings. Back down the weights though to 1lb lower than two years ago so won't surprise if he goes well.

Form: PPUP0-4

Devils Bride^p,t¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: J J Slevin| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 143| C

33/1

Running a stormer in this race 12 months ago when falling at the last while in third place. 11lb lower now, will be better for fair recent pipe-opener and could be one of the best handicapped horses in the race.

Form: 5000-94

De Plotting Shed^t⁹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| D

16/1

Useful hurdler but doesn't seem as good over fences and pulled up last time at Punchestown in April. Not without hope but needs to raise his game.

Form: 522P2P-

Drumcliff^t⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Miss A B O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 142

14/1

British raider who won at Wincanton and Ascot last season and made successful return at Uttuxeter in May. 3lb higher but goes well for talented lady jockey who claims 7lb allowance. Should run well.

Form: 0114P-1

Saturnas⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142

14/1

Scored at Fairyhouse in January but wasn't up to Grade 1 standard in two subsequent outings last term. On jockey bookings appears the pick of champion trainer's posse and certainly has an attractive racing weight.

Form: 10/2186-

Slowmotion^b1²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 142

7/1

Useful mare who ran third in this race 12 months ago and shaped with promise over inadequate two miles in Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle last time out. Should be fit and may make another bold bid in the first-time blinkers.

Form: 38P36-4

Conrad Hastings³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: A E Lynch| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 141| D

40/1

Decent summer chaser who struggled toward the end of last season but ran well recently when third at Kilbeggan. Wouldn't want any rain.

Form: 250PP-3

Patricks Park⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141

9/2

Landed Guinness Handicap Chase at Punchestown in April off 8lb lower wieght but has fair winning strike rate and a decent run is not ruled out.

Form: 416151-

Non-Runners

Ballycasey⁴⁹

Weight: 10-13| Age: 11

T: W P Mullins J: D J Mullins

The West's Awake⁵⁸

Weight: 10-6| Age: 7

T: E J O'Grady J: Reserve 2

Road To Riches¹⁰⁹

Weight: 10-6| Age: 11

T: N Meade J: Reserve 3

Forecasts

Patricks Park (9/2), Jury Duty (7/1), Slowmotion (7/1), Snow Falcon (11/1), Calino D'Airy (12/1), Koshari (12/1), Tully East (12/1), Saturnas (14/1), Valseur Lido (14/1), Drumcliff (14/1), Haymount (14/1), Sub Lieutenant (16/1), De Plotting Shed (16/1), Peregrine Run (20/1), Neverushacon (20/1), Kitten Rock (20/1), The West's Awake (20/1), Ballycasey (20/1), Road To Riches (25/1), Clarcam (33/1), Lord Scoundrel (33/1), Devils Bride (33/1), Conrad Hastings (40/1), Alelchi Inois (50/1), Rock The World (66/1)

A tremendous renewal of this fine €250,000 handicap chase. Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead both run five and Gordon Elliot runs four making it a devishly difficult race to assess, but HAYMOUNT is the suggestion wearing the first time tongue-tie, having appeared to be saved for this race after pulling up when strongly fancied 12 months ago. There are any amount of dangers, with Jury Duty, Koshari, and Calino D'Airy all capable of getting into the argument, while the likes of Saturnas, Peregrine Run and Clarcam are respected. The sole British raider, Drumcliff, is another who should be thereabouts in a fascinating contest.