16:45 – N’Golo
N’GOLO should run really well in this maiden hurdle. He was a 1m 6f winner on the Flat in France. He’s by Galileo and he seems to be in good form at the moment. He hasn’t run since August 2018, but we’ve had him quite a while and we’re happy with him.
Hopefully, he can go close in the opening maiden on Friday. Risk Factor, for Joseph O’Brien, would be the big danger to him though. Joseph’s horses are in great order and Risk Factor was second in a bumper a Leopardstown to Appreciate It at the Dublin Racing Festival.
He also won at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day. Risk Factor is a very good horse, and this is a very hot maiden. N’golo v Risk Factor is certainly an interesting match-up in it.
17:15 – Millyinthemiddle
Willie Mullins runs Ego Des Mottes in this, and he’s been a bit of a letdown. We thought he’d go close the first day he ran, but he didn’t bring his homework to the track and he’s been disappointing subsequently as well.
There are plenty of horses that will be fancied though. Enzani for Gordon Elliott has a big chance and Eagle Moon for Henry de Bromhead is another one with a claim.
But, I fancy one well down the list in MILLYINTHEMIDDLE, who was third here on Wednesday for Emmet Mullins behind Mrs Milner. That was probably a better race than this and Millyinthemiddle could go a little bit better on Friday.
17:45 – Fan De Blues
I believe FAN DES BLUES has a good shot in this for Paul Townend, he worked really well last week. He actually worked with Cabaret Queen, who ran a blinder in the Galway Plate and I’d be happy with him going into this.
He won a maiden hurdle at Thurles, but he was a bit keen in a hurdle at Leopardstown behind Thosedaysaregone and Golden Jewell. However, that was a really competitive race and this is a lesser contest than that. I believe he has got an outstanding chance for Willie Mullins now.
The dangers will definitely be Edward O’Grady’s Rasiym, who won in Kilbeggan a couple of weeks ago, and Filon Doudairies, who scored in his first race after the lockdown in a maiden hurdle at Limerick.
I wouldn’t put any one of Fan Des Blue though!
18:15 – Sayo
Willie Mullins has thrown half the yard at this race by the looks of it. Stratum won last year’s Cesarewitch in Newmarket, but hasn’t been as prolific over jumps. This is probably his first try going this far over obstacles and that should really suit him.
Canardier ran really well on his first start for Willie at Cheltenham. He may have fallen, but he was running a big race at the time. He was formerly trained by Dermot McLoughlin, but I’m not sure how well handicapped he is.
SAYO hasn’t won a race in a long time, but he ran a blinder in the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh on his comeback run. Foveros, he kind of trailed off, but he did win here last year over 2m 4f miles. The step up in trip should suit him.
My Sister Sarah came rattling home here in a 1m 4f maiden on Monday night and that run should have her spot on for this. Great White Shark also came home well in the big amateur handicap on Monday. The trip will suit her, but she was a beaten favourite in this race last year.
The final one Willie Mullins has is Diamond Hill, who won the 2m 4f maiden hurdle at this meeting last year. She loves Galway and the trip will really suit her too. If I had to pick though, I’d have probably have ridden Sayo.
19:15 – Blazer
Willie Mullins has three runners in this and all three of them ran in the Galway Plate on Wednesday. There is only nine in this race and five of them ran in the Galway Plate, so if you are looking for horses to back up, this is your type of race.
The Storyteller was pulled up early and I don’t know why. Sub Lieutenant missed the break and never got going. I’m not sure Robin Des Foret is an out-and-out Galway horse, she just looked to not get up the hill. The trip in the Galway Plate looked a bit far for Livelovelaugh and this trip looks too far for him as well.
I thought BLAZER stayed on really well though and Mark Walsh rides him. I reckon he could be the one to take this as the Galway Plate was his first run in a long time.
Even if he is following up very quickly after Wednesday’s run, I’ll stick with him.
19:45 – Mighty Stowaway
I reckon MIGHTY STOWAWAY is the real interesting contender. He didn’t get into the Galway Plate, but gets into this on his first run for Gordon Elliott. Davy Russell takes the mount too with 11st 7lb on his back and he’s the eye-catching horse for me.
20:15 – Eilise’s A Lady
This is a winners’ bumper and Patrick Mullins rides Hallowed Star for John Hanlon who won at Tipperary. But, the previous winner I like in the race is EILISE’S A LADY for Paul Fahey.
The mare won really well at Kilbeggan and will have improved from that run. I reckon she can make it two wins from two.
* Prices on our snazzy new bet widget are bang up to date.
Ruby Walsh’s tips summary:
16:45 – N’Golo
17:15 – Millyinthemiddle
17:45 – Fan De Blues
18:15 – Sayo
19:15 – Blazer
19:45 – Mighty Stowaway
20:15 – Eilise’s A Lady
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Grab racing previews from the UK, Ireland and the rest of the globe here
- Placing bets is easier than ever with Paddy Power News’ live odds banners
- Horse racing tips: Four fancied tips for Friday’s Irish racing action