Dermot’s boy can Dig deep in Hurdle
THE Boylesports Handicap Hurdle (2.30) is a very good race at Galway today and it’s very hard to get a hold on it.
La Prima Donna, who was a good winner the last day at Tipperary, runs for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend and has a huge chance.
But I’d also give a chance to strong stayer Digby for Dermot A Mcloughlin and Darragh O’keefe. This lad stays really well, the ground should definitely suit him and he looks a great each-way bet.
Today’s action kicks off with the Boylesports Download The App Maiden Hurdle at 2pm and it looks very competitive.
Willie Mullins has two runners in the race and I find it very hard to fancy Gamin Original on the form he has shown so far.
He unseated his rider when last seen in Galway and I think Merlin Giant if he reappears, he ran here on Wednesday when second to Dads Lad in the mile and a half amateur race, and runs here – I think his form is good enough to win this.
Five flat races come next before the action finishes with the bumper at 5.55.
In the two-year-old maiden (3.05), Hiawatha should win for Aidan O’brien and Seamie Heffernan. He’ll be a short-priced favourite, but he should oblige for favourite backers.
And then in the Bathshack Maiden over a mile at 3.40, Touching Clouds has a good chance of giving Dermot Weld another Galway winner with Chris Hayes onboard.
She ran a bit green on debut when second behind La Dame Blanche at Gowran Park in May, but was an eyecatcher after finishing strongly and should go close again here.
Joseph O’brien’s horses have been running very well this week and Goa Gajah can give him another victory in the Gra Chocolates Irish EBF Nursery Handicap (4.15) with Mikey Sheehy booked to ride.
Goa Gajah was a good winner of a maiden in Down Royal. He was impressive that day and he might have a little bit more to come off 87.
My Minervina is bidding for a hat-trick in the Ardilaun Hotel Handicap (4.45) for the Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley team.
She should follow up here as she
has been winning with what looks l i k e plenty up her sleeve in her last two starts and she could take a bit of stopping over 7f.
The 1m4f Mcdonogh Capital Investments Handicap (5.20) is the penultimate race of the day and Pike County in an interesting runner for Denise Foster with Mark Enright partnering the nine-year-old.
He was a good winner at Ballinrobe the last day, was a very good bumper horse and seems to be back on track now.
The Boylesports Irish EBF Mares bumper (5.55) looks like a good opportunity for Carrigmoorna Queen to get her head in front after finishing second on debut.
This doesn’t look the strongest of mares bumpers and she’s very hard to oppose.