17:55 Galway

Tuesday 12 September 2023

All15:5016:2016:5517:2517:5518:2518:5519:25

Galway Handicap (47-70)

Off time: 17:55 | Winning time: 1m 31.54s

(8)

Mercurial³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: S D Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: J Nallen| OR: 68

10/3

One win from 21 Flat runs. 20/1, creditable fourth of 19 in handicap at the Curragh (6f, good) 31 days ago, keeping on well final 1f. Return to this longer trip rates a plus.

Form: 38-7604

(5)

Dance Emperor¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Ben Coen| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 60

18/1

Dual winner at up to 10f during summer 2021. Missed whole of last year and understandably looked rusty returning from 23 months off when eleventh of 15 in handicap at Bellewstown (7.8f) 2 weeks ago, merely passing beaten rivals. This should reveal more.

Form: 36707/0

(4)

Storm Eric^t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: James Ryan⁽⁷⁾| T: Jamie Flynn| OR: 53| D

13/2

Winner at Dundalk in April. Struggled to replicate that level since, thirteenth of 24 in handicap (50/1) at Naas (5.9f, good) 16 days ago. Tongue strap back on. Others make greater appeal.

Form: 100900

(6)

Pimstrel^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Rory Cleary| T: Laura Hourigan| OR: 51| CD

5/1

C&D winner. Bit below form eighth of 15 in handicap at Bellewstown (7.8f, good, 18/1) 14 days ago, no extra final 1f. Won this race from a 5 lb higher mark 12 months ago and not dismissed lightly.

Form: 1800-08

(10)

Golden Freckle⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Jamie Powell⁽⁵⁾| T: T J O'Mara| OR: 47| BF

7/2

Lightly-raced maiden. 11/2, respectable sixth of 15 in handicap at Killarney (8.2f, good) 55 days ago. Remains less exposed than most

Form: 0/80-46

(11)

Phoenix Open^t⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: Leigh Roche| T: S M Duffy| OR: 47

16/1

28/1, thirteenth of 15 in handicap at Limerick (8f, good) 80 days ago, racing off the pace and never landing a blow. Can only be watched unless market vibes proved particularly positive.

Form: 04-0070

(3)

Purring Along⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Nathan Crosse| T: S M Duffy| OR: 47| D

7/2

11/1, creditable fourth of 15 in handicap at Killarney (8.2f, good) 55 days ago, never nearer. Can make presence felt.

Form: 000354

(2)

Talking Tough^p,t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: Chris Hayes| T: S M Duffy| OR: 47| CD

18/1

C&D winner. Two wins from 60 Flat runs. 40/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, twelfth of 15 in handicap at Killarney (8.1f, good) 19 days ago.

Form: 000500

(1)

Tijuana^p⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Killian Leonard| T: D E Finn| OR: 47

22/1

Cheekpieces on for 1st time, twenty first of 25 in handicap at Cork (7f, good to firm, 66/1) 6 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 70-8000

Non-Runners

(9)

Giuseppe Cassioli⁵⁶

Weight: 10-2| Age: 6

T: D Bunyan & G O'Leary J: Colin Keane

(7)

Inablink²¹

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: Barry J Fitzgerald J: Luke McAteer

Forecasts

Giuseppe Cassioli (9/4), Mercurial (10/3), Purring Along (7/2), Golden Freckle (7/2), Pimstrel (5/1), Storm Eric (13/2), Inablink (14/1), Phoenix Open (16/1), Talking Tough (18/1), Dance Emperor (18/1), Tijuana (22/1)

GIUSEPPE CASSIOLI produced his best effort yet for his present yard when runner-up at Killarney in July and, operating from a handy mark/partnered by Colin Keane, he could be worth siding with to build on that now. Purring Along rates a threat, with last year's winner Pimstrel another worth keeping an eye on. Mercurial can't be ruled out either.