The party is well and truly underway here in Galway, but as my old mate John ‘Scouse Lobster’ Cruces of Talksport and Betfred fame will doubtless be keen to tell you (if you buy him a Guinness), it’s a marathon, not a sprint – a point some of the revellers weaving their way home from Eyre Square late last night would’ve done well to take on board.
Still, they’re nothing if not civilised the Galway Race Committee, and a first race time of 5.10pm should see nearly everyone back on form in time to soak up the atmosphere at Ballybrit this evening.
I’ll the having a bet in the second race, where it’s not hard to make a solid case for backing locally trained Nintytwo Team each way in the Latin Quarter Chase at 5.45pm.
Not certain to make the cut for tomorrow’s Galway Plate his shrewd trainer Paul Gilligan has opted to try and win this easier looking assignment instead.
Gilligan burst onto the scene with three winners at this meeting in 2007, and having prepared his charge for this by seeing the eight year old hack up at Fontwell in June, he might well be celebrating another one here.
It’s an open looking contest, but Nintytwo Team definitely handles the track (crucial here), and doesn’t have too many miles on the clock.
Another who’s got fond memories of Ballybrit is David Marnane’s Maundy Money, who lines up in the feature Topaz Mile at 7.00pm.
The seven year old is one of six course and distance winners in a maximum field of 18, but he has a decent draw in 13 (despite the tight turning nature of the track the very low numbers tend to encounter traffic problems) and has slipped back to an attractive mark.
Second in this race to the re-opposing Rock And Roll Kid 12 months ago off a 2lb lower mark Maundy Money won twice here in 2008, and has been specifically aimed at this.
Back him each way.
It’s a belting card on Channel 4 for the opening day of Glorious Goodwood, and at a double figure price I can’t resist a few shillings each way on Andrew Balding’s Riggins in the Lennox Stakes at 3.25pm.
Granted he’s up markedly in class, from handicap company to a Group 2, and he might want a stiffer test of stamina than 7f at Goodwood, but there’s no telling how spectacular this until this year injury-blighted Cape Cross gelding’s career could become, and he warrants his place in the line up against some proven higher level performers.
If they go a decent clip and Jimmy Fortune makes plenty of use of him I can see him making the place money at an attractive double figure price.
By the time they run the 8.25pm at Worcester I’ll be safely ensconced in the Guinness & Oyster bar enjoying half a dozen of the local delicacy, but don’t let that thought put you off backing favourite Stagecoach Pearl to win the 2m handicap chase at the Midlands venue.
A recent scorer at Cartmel Sue Smith has found a good opportunity for him to follow up from just a 4lb higher mark, and with AP McCoy booked to do the steering he can go in again here.
Good luck!
Tuesday’s tips:
3.25 Goodwood – Betfair Cup – 10 Riggins (each way) @ 12/1 with Ladbrokes or Paddy Power
5.45 Galway – Latin Quarter Chase – 13 NintyTwo Team (each way) @ 7/1 with Bet365
7.00 Galway – Topaz Mile EBF Handicap – 5 Maundy Money (each way) @ 10/1 with Bet365
8.25 Worcester – Ladbrokes Handicap Chase – 7 Stagecoach Pearl (win) @ 6/5 with William Hill
Tags: galway, goodwood, maundy money, ninetytwo team, riggins, stagecoach pearl, tuesday 27th july
