16:30 Galway

Thursday 30 July 2026

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:4018:12

Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap (Grade 3)

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 3m 43.30s

Solness^p,t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 153| BF

10/1

High-class chaser whose best efforts last term came when landing a third Leopardstown Grade 1 success over Christmas and when just edged out by Grey Dawning in Melling Chase at Aintree (2½m). Poor effort when last seen but reverts to hurdling off tempting mark with yard flying.

Form: 43/1523-

Casheldale Lad^h²¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Josh Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 152| D

14/1

Progressive hurdler who won 3 times in 2025/26. Ran as well as could be expected when third behind Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead in December Hurdle when last season. Third in this last season from 14 lb lower mark but improved after and good-value conditional takes off a handy 5 lb. Respected.

Form: 1/311F3-

Ndaawi^p⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: James Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 152| CD

25/1

Second past the post in this race for last 2 years and rated 7 lb lower when awarded last year's renewal. Struggled in Grade 1 and valuable Cheltenham handicap afterwards and didn't need to be anywhere near his best when beating Absurde by 3¼ lengths in a minor event at Cork in April.

Form: 22/1301-

El Cairos^t1⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 143| BF| D

5/1

Created a good impression over hurdles last season, winning a maiden at Thurles before finishing fifth in the Supreme at Cheltenham. Disappointing behind Eachtotheirown in Champion Novices' Hurdle at Punchestown last time but could have more to offer now handicapping. Wears first-time tongue strap.

Form: 52/F154-

Laafi^p⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Patrick M O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: W Durkan| OR: 143| D

11/1

Has developed into a smart hurdler, finishing first past the post in a competitive handicap at Aintree (disqualified due to rider going over the permitted level of strikes) and then progressing again when collared late on by Moon Chime in Swinton Hurdle at Haydock in May. Yard remains in good order.

Form: 3/055D-2

Puturhandstogether⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: H Cobden| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 140| D

16/1

Impressive winner of 2025 Fred Winter who also landing a gamble in the Irish Cesarewitch in the same Autumn. Hasn't quite hit the same heights since and disappointed in handicap at Royal Ascot last time, but represents top connections and any market support should be keenly noted.

Form: 602600-

Tounsivator³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139| D

17/2

Hasn't won over hurdles since the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse in 2024/25, but ran well from 1 lb higher when slightly unlucky fourth in this race on sole outing over hurdles last season. Has looked as good as ever in 2 outings on the Flat this year, including when fifth here 3 days ago.

Form: 19709/4-

Murcia^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138| BF| D

15/2

Useful hurdler who handled the test of speed when comfortably landing a mares conditions hurdle at Listowel (2m) in May but was outstayed when collared by Run For Mahler in extended 2½m event at Killarney last time. Return to 2m will suit and the choice of Paul Townend.

Form: 4050-12

Too Bossy For Us^p³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138| D

18/1

Useful performer who struggled with an ambitious hurdling campaign last season but did manage to win a Punchestown maiden. Shaped better than result when sixth in handicap here 3 days ago (just behind Tounsivator) and meets that rival on reversed terms now back over hurdles.

Form: 75/16P6-

Helvic Dream^t⁸⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Donagh Meyler| T: N Meade| OR: 136| D

12/1

One-time very smart Flat performer who was hard done by when demoted from first in this race last season, having beaten Ndaawi a head from 5 lb lower mark. Has struggled since, including back on the Flat in May, but yard is in good form at present and not difficult to see him bouncing back.

Form: 525/200-

Starting Fifteen^h¹¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Flanagan| T: E McNamara| OR: 135| D

12/1

Landed a Limerick maiden hurdle before falling short at Grade 1 level on next 2 starts. Thrown into the deep end again on handicap debut but certainly travels like a horse likely to be suited by a large-field environment and could still have more to offer after just 4 outings over hurdles.

Form: 3/42175-

Gameball^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 133| BF| D

14/1

Bumper winner for A. Slattery last summer and followed up in Punchestown maiden hurdle on debut for current yard in the autumn. Found less than looked likely when 10 lengths second of 14 to Paul's Dream in 2½m handicap at Kilbeggan 20 days ago and a well-run 2m may just prove ideal.

Form: 1143-2

Ragmans Corner⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Eoghan Finegan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Keane| OR: 132| C| D

22/1

Progressive handicapper who made a winning return in 17f handicap hurdle at Killarney in May, beating Impero by 2¼ lengths. Shaped as if still in good form back on the Flat last time and has run well on all 4 previous starts at this course, including twice over hurdles.

Form: P/2142-1

Putapoundinthejar²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Daniel King| T: A J Martin| OR: 129| D

10/1

Won handicap on the Flat at Bellewstown (11.4f) in April and proved at least as good as ever when winning extended 17f handicap hurdle at same course 26 days ago by ½-length from Autumn Twist. This is tougher but yard no stranger to success in this race.

Form: 8605-31

Beauvallon²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 132| BF| D

33/1

Looked potentially smart as he followed up his Limerick victory at the Punchestown Festival. Not so good when failing to settle fully behind Mino Des Mottes at Bellewstown since, though, and needs to quicky resume progress if he's to make an impact in such a competitive handicap.

Form: 511-2

Sageborough^t⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Conor Stone-Walsh| T: P Nolan| OR: 128| D

25/1

Stepped up on previous hurdling efforts in first-time tongue strap when winning 7-runner minor event at Wexford in May by ¼-length from Time Is A Thief. Further progress needed now tackling a valuable handicap.

Form: 17F6-1

Royal Hollow²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A Slattery| OR: 127| D

33/1

Useful hurdler who won a mares event at Gowran and made a successful chasing debut at Clonmel last season. Not quite at her best when placed on both hurdle outings this season, chasing home Murcia in mares minor event at Listowel on second occasion. Similar story back on the Flat last time.

Form: 0121-32

Barbizon^t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Joshua Halford⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 126| D

40/1

Quickly reached useful level on the Flat for John Murphy and made a smooth transition to hurdling for Gordon Elliott when winning juvenile at Navan. Found out in graded races at Leopardstown after and in handicaps since, though. Races from 5 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 1460-0

Kai Lung^h²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Cleary-Farrell⁽⁷⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 126| BF| D

14/1

Has looked a handful over hurdles, refusing to settle all 4 outings in better company since his Naas maiden win in January. Not disgraced when eighth in a big-field handicap on Flat here on Tuesday but makes handicap debut in this sphere from 5 lb out of the weights.

Form: 1PU9-3

Thisistheway²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Michael Kenneally⁽⁵⁾| T: Yvonne Latta| OR: 122

22/1

Consistent mare who shaped well despite not being suited by the run of the race when 3 lengths fourth of 16 to Putapoundinthejar at Bellewstown 26 days ago. Races from 5 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 51/32F-4

Non-Runners

No Looking Back⁸⁹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 8

T: O McKiernan J: Reserve 1

Forecasts

El Cairos (5/1), Murcia (15/2), Tounsivator (17/2), Putapoundinthejar (10/1), Solness (10/1), Laafi (11/1), Helvic Dream (12/1), Starting Fifteen (12/1), Gameball (14/1), Casheldale Lad (14/1), Kai Lung (14/1), Puturhandstogether (16/1), Too Bossy For Us (18/1), Thisistheway (22/1), Ragmans Corner (22/1), Ndaawi (25/1), Sageborough (25/1), Beauvallon (33/1), Royal Hollow (33/1), Barbizon (40/1), No Looking Back (66/1)

An ultra-competitive renewal of this valuable contest with the vote in favour of EL CAIROS, who has long been held in high regard by connections and appeals as one of the few in the field who may still have his best days ahead of him. He was disappointing when last seen but has been freshened up since, and it’s notable that Jack Kennedy keeps the faith. Laafi boasts some strong handicap form and is feared, along with the unexposed Gameball and last year’s first past the post, Helvic Dream.