18:50 Galway

Friday 3 August 2018

All17:1017:4518:1518:5019:2519:5520:25

Guinness Handicap (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 18:50 | Winning time: 2m 42.82s

(5)

Gustavus Vassa^h³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 96| BF

7/1

Second again last time at the Curragh, continues to scale the ratings without record a win this year, should be in the mix.

Form: 2308-22

(10)

Mawaany²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 92

11/1

Edged out at Leopardstown last time in a three-way-go. Represents strong firm here and player despite being rated 6lb higher than when second in this last year.

Form: 4223-42

(6)

Limini⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: K J Manning| T: W P Mullins| OR: 89| BF| D

1/1

Beat all bar one rival here on Monday, returning from 503-day absence. Races from same mark (due to rise 11lb) and massive player if that run hasn't left a mark.

Form: 25111/2

(2)

Nessun Dorma³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Lee| T: W P Mullins| OR: 89

14/1

Smart hurdler, rated 130, and off the mark third time of asking on the Flat when beating Tornado Watch by 3L at Ballinrobe in June, player.

Form: 0/21

(8)

Princess Yaiza⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Gary Carroll| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 99

20/1

The softening ground is a worry here, but creditable 2¾L third of seven behind Sea of Class in Listed Newbury contest (1m2f, good to firm) looks strong now.

Form: 11-5333

(9)

Law Girl³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 88

16/1

Didn't enjoy much luck in running last time out at the Curragh so potentially as well forgetting that run. Chance on previous form and one of four contenders for in-form Mullins yard.

Form: 214/310

(14)

James Cook^t³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 97

20/1

Leopardstown maiden winner last year, unable to add to tally since but that did come on soft ground, which offers hope. Poor draw.

Form: 21-4809

(4)

Song Of Namibia^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Sean Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: G M Lyons| OR: 85

66/1

In cracking form last summer but struggled to reproduce that so far this term and likelihood of soft ground not a plus.

Form: 6-57043

(3)

Tornado Watch²²

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: Wayne Lordan| T: E Mullins| OR: 82| BF

8/1

Good second behind Slipper Sergeant at Leopardstown last month, booking of Wayne Lordan a positive one now and dangerous to discount.

Form: 222

(1)

Tudor City^t⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A J Martin| OR: 82| C

8/1

Ran in the race Limini finished second in here earlier this week, coming home respectable fifth of 20. Unlikely to reverse form with that rival unless the mare has a 'bounce'.

Form: 1/3156-5

(7)

Curley Bill⁸²

Age: 10| Weight: 8-9| J: Shane Foley| T: N Meade| OR: 79| BF| CD

16/1

Course winner back in 2013, versatile and consistent sort but isn't getting any younger and not hard to envisage a few of these have more firepower now.

Form: 145/128

Non-Runners

(12)

Remarkable Lady¹

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: H Rogers J: Ben Coen

(11)

Espoir D'Soleil²²

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: D K Weld J: Declan McDonogh

(13)

Mezajy⁴

Weight: 8-4| Age: 6

T: D Hogan J: Killian Leonard

Forecasts

Limini (1/1), Gustavus Vassa (7/1), Tornado Watch (8/1), Tudor City (8/1), Mawaany (11/1), Espoir D'Soleil (12/1), Nessun Dorma (14/1), Curley Bill (16/1), Law Girl (16/1), Princess Yaiza (20/1), James Cook (20/1), Remarkable Lady (33/1), Mezajy (50/1), Song Of Namibia (66/1)

Limini is 'well-in' here having gone close on Monday over a longer trip (second) on her first start in more than 500 days. She should handle this drop in trip and should go close again if that return hasn't left a mark. Her price reflects that however and she looks short enough as such. Mawaany was second in this 12 months ago and comes back in rude health following a narrow loss last time while the consistent Gustavus Vassa cannot be dismissed despite climbing the ratings without winning. PRINCESS YAIZA has shown her best form on better ground but, if things dry out, she has been running well in Listed races lately and might be worth a chance in handicap company.