16:00 Galway

Thursday 2 August 2018

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1517:50

Guinness Novice Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 2.30s

Causey Arch⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 131

7/1

Needs to jump better seemingly but sketchy work in that department didn't stop him winning at Roscommon in June and top connections will surely have worked on that since.

Form: 10-11

Awbeg Prince^t⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr M C O'Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: M J O'Connor

25/1

Cork bumper winner last summer, back from a break to win maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe over this trip in May and off since, clearly goes well fresh and could have ambitions.

Form: 1/13-1

Boot Camp^h²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 124| BF

10/1

Winner of Down Royal maiden hurdle in June over 2m but couldn't justify favouritism next time at Roscommon when upped to this trip (second of five) and more is called for again.

Form: 6/255-12

Eamon High⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 123

8/1

Fourth behind Causey Arch last time at Roscommon and, like the winner, was rather let down by jumping at times. Must improve in that department.

Form: 362-14

Exchange Rate²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| BF| C

6/4

Favourite here on Tuesday evening, duly got rid of this rider at the first flight. Has standout claims if avoiding any similar mishaps.

Form: 1-1U

Minella Times⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Mark Walsh| T: H De Bromhead

15/2

Just the two starts over timber so far, winning at Kilbeggan in May on second of those. Off since, entitled to improve again and could be in there at the death.

Form: F/4-1

Awayinthewest³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: B J Geraghty| T: P A Fahy| OR: 126

7/1

Won at Ballinrobe in May but record is just 1-12 all told over timber and others appears better placed to be winning this contest.

Form: 2223-21

Calie Du Mesnil⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins

8/1

French import, odds-on winner on debut for new connections at Tipperary in May, doing well to get up close home with front pair clear. Interesting runner in famous silks and should be fitter for that success.

Form: 56224/1

Sapphire Lady⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 119

14/1

Versatile sort, close second at Killarney in May over 2m6f and went one better in mares maiden hurdle at Listowel next time. Represents Team Mullins and further improvement very possible.

Form: 1300-21

Forecasts

Exchange Rate (6/4), Causey Arch (7/1), Awayinthewest (7/1), Minella Times (15/2), Calie Du Mesnil (8/1), Eamon High (8/1), Boot Camp (10/1), Sapphire Lady (14/1), Awbeg Prince (25/1)

Willie Mullins holds a strong hand here with a quartet of runners and cases can be made for most of them. Exchange Rate unshipped Ruby Walsh here at the first flight earlier in the week having gone off favourite and will be out to make amends while Sapphire Lady is already proving versatile and should have more to offer but perhaps so too will CALIE DU MESNIL. The French import won at Tipperary on debut for the yard and should be plenty fitter here. Causey Arch will needs to improve in the jumping department. Awbeg Prince won at Ballinrobe in May and goes well fresh, he is another that may improve.