17:30 Galway

Friday 31 July 2026

All17:0017:3018:0018:3519:1019:4020:1020:40

Guinness Beginners Chase

5YO plus | 2m 6f 111y | 10 Runners | Turf

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Alex Harvey| T: J C McConnell| C

Has't had much racing for present stable and showed improved form when landing 3m handicap hurdle at this meeting last year. Possibly needed the run after 9 months off at Punchestown in April, so he's one to note as he goes chasing (yard has won this race twice in the last 5 years).

Form: 084/410-

Glens Sensation¹⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Gilligan⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 79

80/1

Little form over hurdles and was tailed off making chasing debut in maiden at this meeting last year (his final start for Peter Fahey). Unseated rider only other outing in this sphere and hasn't fared much better back hurdling last 3 starts.

Form: 08U06P-

Mickie Angel^h1²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: D Hogan| OR: 120

11/2

Fairly useful 2½m winner over hurdles and similar form in this sphere, returning from 5 months off when staying-on second in 11-runner maiden at Wexford (19f) 28 days ago. Can give another good account back up in trip with hood applied.

Form: F3726-2

Ocastle Des Mottes⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 126

10/3

Useful hurdler who matched that form on chasing debut when runner-up in a Punchestown maiden in November 2024. Let down by his jumping in only 3 starts since, pulled up in 2½m handicap at the same course in June, but he's interesting with Paul Townend on board for first time in this sphere.

Form: 8025/4-P

Talk In The Park^p⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 123| CD

9/2

Winner of 2¾m handicap hurdle at this meeting in 2024. Yet to score over fences but gave his running more often than not last season, including when runner-up in this same race. Rare poor effort in a Roscommon (2m) novice on return, though could bounce back with cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 34U25-P

Themanintheanorak⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan O'Sullivan⁽⁵⁾| T: E M O'Sullivan

16/1

Bumper winner who made second handicap start over hurdles a winning one at Fairyhouse (2½m) in February. However, below-par effort when sixth of 12 at Killarney in May and has something to find as he goes chasing (third on complete start in points).

Form: 21066-6

Vicar Street^t⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: W P Mullins

1/1

Well bred and made a winning start over hurdles in a Roscommon maiden last summer, before runner-up in listed novice at this meeting. After 10 months off, shaped better than the result sent chasing when third in a Punchestown maiden (25f) in June. Major player with improvement to come.

Form: 4/12-3

Wendrock^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott

22/1

Useful hurdler at best, though finished last season with a couple of poor efforts and tailed off in 2 maiden chases last month. Back up in trip but others more persuasive at present.

Form: 45P0-46

Seventy Eight Team⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Conor Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 79

66/1

Long-standing maiden who produced her best effort over fences when second in a 25f Wexford handicap last summer. However, she has pulled up the last twice, returning from 6 months off in handicap at Punchestown in June.

Form: P245P-P

Non-Runners

Great Attitude¹³⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: C W J Farrell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Vicar Street (2/1), Mickie Angel (5/2), Talk In The Park (5/1), Ocastle Des Mottes (13/2), Ballystone (7/1), Great Attitude (12/1), Wendrock (14/1), Themanintheanorak (14/1), Glens Sensation (50/1), Seventy Eight Team (50/1)

Preference is for the lightly-raced VICAR STREET, who finished third in a Punchestown maiden on his seasonal/chasing debut despite racing too freely. With that run behind him, he is taken to open his account in this sphere at the expense of stablemate Ocastle Des Mottes, while Ballystone could go well on his chasing bow.