18:40 Galway

Wednesday 27 July 2022

All17:1017:4018:1018:4019:1519:5020:20

Tote Galway Plate (Grade A Handicap Chase)

Off time: 18:40 | Winning time: 5m 34.1s

Easy Game²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J B Foley⁽³⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| C

8/1

Thirteen wins from 30 NH runs. 2/9, won 4-runner chase at Tramore (22.1f, good) 24 days ago, easily. Not taken lightly in his bid for a five-timer for last year's winning yard.

Form: F31-111

Gabynako⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 155

10/1

3/1, respectable third of 6 to Blue Lord in Barberstown Castle Novices' Chase (Colliers) at Punchestown (16f, good to soft) 90 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Much respected on his handicap chase debut.

Form: 212323-

Hewick^p⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jordan Gainford| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 155| BF| D

16/1

Four wins from 10 runs last season. Latest win in chase at Sandown in April. 9/4, good second of 14 in handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe (25f, good to soft) 57 days ago. Switches to chasing and in the mix.

Form: 121P1-2

Daly Tiger¹⁰¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: E Walsh⁽⁵⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 154

100/1

Six wins from 22 NH runs. Latest win in hurdle at Limerick in December. 9/2, running below form when fell 2 out in Imperial Call Chase at Cork (24f, heavy) 101 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: 21440F-

Cape Gentleman²⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| OR: 152

17/2

7/2, fell 4 out in Drinmore Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse (19.8f, good) won by Beacon Edge, looking sure to be placed. Off 8 months. Makes handicap chase debut. Merits consideration.

Form: 9/3112F-

The Shunter^h,t⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: E Mullins| OR: 152

9/1

Very smart chaser who arrives on back of win in 13f Sligo maiden on his belated Flat debut in May. Enters calculations.

Form: 23/4UP7-

Annamix^t⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150

40/1

Fourteen runs since last win in 2020. Ninth of 13 in handicap chase at Punchestown (21.2f, good to soft, 10/1) 91 days ago. Othes appeal more.

Form: 2F5P39-

El Barra⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150

9/2

Two wins from 5 runs last season. 8/1, career best when winning 15-runner handicap chase at Punchestown (21f, good to soft) 89 days ago, readily. In the picture for yard who took this event 12 months ago.

Form: 1/23131-

Notebook^p1,t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: C Brassil⁽⁵⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 150

50/1

Very smart chaser but below-par third of 4 to Easy Game in minor event chase (4/1) at Tramore (22.1f, good) 24 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Can give another good account.

Form: 1533U-3

Ronald Pump^b,t¹⁰⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Ewing| T: M J Smith| OR: 150

22/1

Fourteen runs since last win in 2019. 14/1, running well when fell last in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (29.2f, good to soft) 100 days ago. Down in trip. Looks competitive on form.

Form: 25752F-

A Wave Of The Sea^b²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr H C Swan⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 149

20/1

50/1, respectable sixth of 11 to Santa Rossa in Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary (16f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Blinkers back on with more required.

Form: 62F19-6

Battleoverdoyen^t¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 149| CD

28/1

C&D winner. Eight wins from 22 NH runs. 18/1, respectable seventh of 14 to Hurricane Georgie in handicap chase at Kilbeggan (25f, good to soft) 19 days ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 2F0F-67

Castlegrace Paddy¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: B J Cooper| T: P A Fahy| OR: 149

50/1

Won 5-runner maiden (5/2) at Killarney (14.1f, good) on Flat debut 15 days ago, going clear. Switches to chasing and not ruled out.

Form: 25/P343-

Darasso^b,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 148

10/1

Below-par seventh of 11 to Santa Rossa in Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary (16f, good to soft, 9/1) 27 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Blinkers back on and needs to step forward.

Form: 41213-7

Exelerator Express^p1,t⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 145| D

25/1

Two wins from 6 runs last season. Good third of 5 in handicap chase at Perth (23.8f, good, 9/4) 52 days ago, finishing well. Cheekpieces on 1st time and one to consider.

Form: 2185-13

Hurricane Georgie¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 145

14/1

8/1, career best when winning 14-runner handicap chase at Kilbeggan (25f, good to soft) 19 days ago, forging clear. Not taken lightly.

Form: 52U-111

The Jam Man^b1²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: K C Sexton| T: R McNally| OR: 145| D

50/1

Ten wins from 39 NH runs. Eighth of 9 in minor event (9/2) at Fairyhouse (13.6f, good to soft) 21 days ago. Switches from Flat to chase. Blinkers on 1st time. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 0/04200-

Ash Tree Meadow^t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: G Elliott| OR: 144

10/1

Fast improving chaser who easily completed his hat-trick in 5-runner chase at Killarney (17f, good) 12 days ago. Good jumper. Significantly up in trip and weighted to have a big say. Exciting prospect.

Form: 24-3111

Fire Attack⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Shane Fitzgerald⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 144

8/1

Career best when winning 6-runner handicap chase (13/8) at Punchestown (21f, good) 59 days ago, well on top finish. Solid claims.

Form: P5/1U2-1

Gin On Lime^t⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 144| BF

14/1

Five wins from 7 runs last season. Latest win in chase at Cheltenham in November. Creditable second of 5 in minor event chase (8/13) at Limerick (19.7f, good) 61 days ago. Much respected on her handicap chase debut.

Form: 2114-32

Discordantly^p⁹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: D F O'Regan| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 143| CD

18/1

C&D winner. Latest win in chase at Leopardstown in March. 14/1, good second of 13 in handicap chase at Punchestown (21.2f, good to soft) 91 days ago. Considered.

Form: F61PB2-

Non-Runners

Early Doors²⁷

Weight: 11-0| Age: 9

T: J P O'Brien J: J J Slevin

Forecasts

El Barra (9/2), Easy Game (8/1), Fire Attack (8/1), Cape Gentleman (17/2), The Shunter (9/1), Darasso (10/1), Ash Tree Meadow (10/1), Gabynako (10/1), Gin On Lime (14/1), Early Doors (14/1), Hurricane Georgie (14/1), Hewick (16/1), Discordantly (18/1), A Wave Of The Sea (20/1), Ronald Pump (22/1), Exelerator Express (25/1), Battleoverdoyen (28/1), Annamix (40/1), The Jam Man (50/1), Castlegrace Paddy (50/1), Notebook (50/1), Daly Tiger (100/1)

A fiercely competitive Galway Plate. Gordon Elliott has won three of the past six runnings and his fast improving young chaser ASH TREE MEADOW can add to that record by completing his four-timer off a favourable mark and gain much his biggest prize yet. El Barra appeals as the pick of the Willie Mullins challengers and heads the list of dangers, although The Shunter, Easy Game, Hurrican Georgie and Ronald Pump all warrant plenty of respect.