One for me so far in the shape of 5.40 Galway Habesh 25/1. Will get a write up done later but doubt the price will last long.
Love the Galway festivel roto.will be there Thursday and Friday,can't wait.my fav horse sea lord might be putting an appearance in one of the big races so will defo be having an ew punt.
5.40 Galway Habesh 25/1 Although he's got to bounce back from a couple of dismal efforts in a couple of decent 4 year old hurdle races in heavy ground, if the application of a first time hood helps Eugene O'Sullivan's Habesh settle and the application of a tongue tie sees him see out his race better then I think he has an excellent chance of landing this competitive handicap hurdle off a mark of 113. Formerly a decent enough handicapper on the flat for Mick Halford, Habesh joined current connections in May of last year and after a 5 runs on the flat (including a 3rd at Galway) he embarked upon his hurdling career last Autumn. After a promising couple of runs in his first 2 starts over hurdles (including over this C+D), Habesh made it 3rd time lucky when running out a cosy winner of a decent event in heavy ground at Listowel last September. Despite being quite keen throughout the contest, Habesh travelled powerfully throughout the race and after a fine jump at the last he scored by a comfortable enough 1.25L. The form of that race looks strong (runner up Top Man Michael who conceded Habesh yet to reappear; had won a decent Maiden Hurdle comfortably start before). The hurdling debutant Stockons Wing who finished 3rd, and clearly improved appreciably for the experience, has since gone on to win a Grade 2 over hurdles. Moreover, the comprehensively beaten 4th Hurricane Ridge races here on the same terms as Habesh yet is a single figure price and I'd much rather side with Eugene O'Sullivan's gelding. Additionally, O'Sullivan stated that he Habesh would be a much better horse on a sounder surface and he was nearly withdrawn because of the testing conditions which makes the victory even more impressive. Given an opening handicap mark of 126 over hurdles, Habesh took in 2 flat races before running in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival where he ran a much, much better race than his finishing position of 11th suggests. Again under today's 5lb claimer Paddy Kennedy, Habesh was keen for much of the contest (pulled particularly hard early on) as he sat prominently for much of the contest and after jumping the 2nd last flight he was still travelling very well in the lead. However, he was overtaken by eventual winner Flaxen Flare entering the home straight and despite looking like he should play a massive role in the finish Habesh found absolutely nothing when asked and stayed on the one pace to finish a well beaten 11th. You have to suspect that being keen for at least half the contest meant Habesh had nothing to give off the bridle but he travelled with a lot of menace that day and he should find things an awful lot easier off a 13lb lower mark in a contest that is infinitely easier. The two subsequent outings of Habesh have been really bad efforts and he'll have to be forgiven both of those but they were much more competitive than this contest and at 25/1 I have no issue putting a line through them which has seen him fall to his current mark of 113 as he arrives her on the back of a 63 day break. Judged on the form of hurdle success and run in the Fred Winter, I definitely think Habesh is on a mark that underestimates his ability and I am definitely buoyed to the see the application of a hood and tongue tie. For a horse that is often very keen, the application of a hood could settle him down significantly which will help him no end and if the first time tongue tie signifies he has a small problem with his breathing then I think it could see him finish off his races much better. Although a winner on heavy ground, I hope the rain stays away as he seems to be a better horse on a sound surface (flat winner on good to firm) and the current yielding ground should pose no issues to him. I hope instructions are for Paddy Kennedy to sit Habesh near the front and I would have absolutely no problem to see him out in front from the get go either. In addition to his 6lb weight for age allowance, his young 5lb claiming rider takes some more valuable weight off his back and Habesh has a lovely racing weight of 10-5 to carry. If his two new aids work the oracle and the rain stays away, I think a huge run is on the cards for Habesh and hopefully he can land this for what I think would be the trainers first winner at the Festival. 7.15 Galway Quinine 8/1 For all you have to respect Dermot Weld's handicap debutant Peace Accord, the 'King Of Ballybrit' hasn't saddled the winner of this in the past 10 running and you've got to take on his underpriced runner in my opinion. The one I like in this contest is Arthur Moore's Quinine who looked a very unlucky loser on his last start in a much better contest than this and given that he is up only 2lb to 68 for that effort and completely unexposed over 7f I think he looks primed for a big run in this. Successful on his 4th 2 year old start over 5f at Down Royal in a race that has worked out well, Quinine has been in good form in handicaps this year. After a decent run on seasonal reappearance, Quinine ran a fine race when beaten a little over a length over 5f off a mark of 66 at Navan back in May when getting going too late in a contest that is strong form before probably slightly disappointing when 6th at the same venue over slightly shy of 6f (race has worked out well) but he ran an absolute blinder when an unlucky 3rd at Fairyhouse LTO in a race that is much stronger than this. Stepped up to 7f in what was effectively a 0-90 contest where Quinine was the lowest rated by 11lb at Fairyhouse earlier this month, Quinine ran out an unlucky 3rd when flying from an impossible position to be beaten just a length. In a first time hood that is retained today, Quinine was held up in last by Ben Curtis and as he was starting to make a forward move he was hampered and had to be switched with a little over 2f to go. From then he flew home and made up a ton of ground but he had to settle for a 1L beaten 3rd as the first two home, who were prominent throughout, were too far in front. Nevertheless, it was an absolutely blinding run and the form of that race has worked out well. The runner up Bronte scored comfortably off a 1lb higher mark on his only subsequent start whilst the 4th home Toccata Blue has won again subsequently as well. A 2lb rise seems very fair and there seems like there will be a lot more to come from Arthur Moore's charge. Although he could have been better drawn in stall 9, it shouldn't make too much of a difference as he'll likely be held up and I'll be hoping the rain stays away. Looking at the opposition, there looks like there should be a good bit of pace which will help this hold up horse and the stiff finish at Galway also looks sure to suit. Shane Foley, who was on board for his sole success to date, takes the ride for the first time this year and this represents both his and Arthur Moore's only engagements today. Dropped back significantly in class, if Quinine gets the run of the race I think he'll run a very big race and hopefully he can add to his maiden win today with a success in this competitive looking contest.
Nass this race is for you DODGEPOT CLASSIC LOL 8 oclock winsor Bobby scott has moore onboard but maybe to weighted for the finish Uncle dremot now a non runner Poetic lord looks to weighted plus only ran 2 days ago Ze king weighted unproven last race 179 days ago Ajeeb wrong weight wrong track Hectors choice if there was 3 places I would maybe have gone for 3rd place at the opening 14s Significant move now well weighted won his last race at this track off effectively 9stones after the 5lb claimer now weighted at 10 less the claimer 9.9 comes up against BREAKING THE BANK again who was weighted at 9.7 lto now runs off 9.10 he was beat by 5.1 lengths 21 days ago so hopefully there is enough of a change in the weights to compensate for the 5.1 length difrence before I took 9s ew earlier now around 7s Good luck all
What crack head priced Diplomat up at 6/4 last night? Stick with me Pilgrims and we'll ride the Galway gravy train all the way to the bank.
well done sir !-- an 'unexposed' runner against moderate runners-- a winner is a winner !!! whereever!
6.20 High Storm - 16/1 EW This horse has the form from hurdles to trouble the judge in a moderate beginners chase and the experience last time out should have him fit and more experienced for this race. Moderate race and a horse who chased home Darlan should really make the frame. Third yard for him, so perhaps they needed to sweeten him up.
