Horse Racing tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s fine Thursday fancies for Galway

It's Galway Hurdle day and Micky Fitz is on hand with some top tips.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Fancy a free shot at £30k?

14:10 – Fakiera

The Gordon Elliott trained FAKIERA was a little unlucky at Limerick as he made a mistake at the last which cost him the race. He goes up in trip now and can get off the mark over the larger obstacles. Some of his form was top notch over hurdles and his jumping will only get slicker, with experience. 

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14:45 – Sole Pretender

Norman Lee is taking on the big guns here but SOLE PRETENDER has been a giant-slayer in the past and he has taken well to fences, winning at Ballinrobe and Roscommon. He then went back to Tipperary and ran a really good race in the Grimes Hurdle. You know what you’re going to get with him, as he likes to bowl along in front and is there to be shot down. He’s got talent though in a race where Call me Lyreen is the obvious danger.

15:20 – Aurora Princess

Jessie Harrington is a brilliant trainer. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Fillies on the Flat or Gold Cup candidates over fences, she can train anything. AURORA PRINCESS, daughter of The Gurkha, was a good winner at Limerick. She ran really well in the Fillies handicap at the Curragh and she has to be of interest with Scott McCullagh taking 5lbs off.

Fancy a shot at £20k at Glorious Goodwood today?

15:55 – Affogato

The saddle slipped for AFFOGATO inside the final furlong last time when she was beaten by her less- fancied stablemate. She would not have won that day but I’m willing to give her another chance. Ger Lyons and Colin Keane have not lost faith and the uphill finish will suit her. Nectaris looks the obvious danger.

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16:30 – Falcon Eight

I always like to keep Dermot Weld’s runners onside at his beloved Galway and FALCON EIGHT is a smart performer. The only concern is whether this 2m 4f trip will be fair enough for him. He needs to jump better than he has done, but the fitting of the visor that he wears on the Flat brought out the improvement required when he finished a good third in a Grade 2 contest at Fairyhouse at their Easter festival. I’m hoping that this former Chester Cup winner can past the post in front off the back of a good run at Royal Ascot in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.

17:05 – My Mate Mozzie (each-way)

The Galway Hurdle is one of the feature races of the week and Santa Rossa should be on everyone’s short-list. However, the 10lb rise for winning last time at Tipperary is hard to swallow. Adamantly Chosen is the obvious choice after a good fourth at Punchestown in a tough handicap. My preference is for MY MATE MOZZIE who wears cheekpieces now and that is a statement in itself. Trainer Gavin Cromwell feels this horse needs the wake-up call.

My Mate Mozzie was beaten a short head in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse last season having won a Grade 3 at Navan. A rating of 141 looks fair and he has to be a player. 

Mick Fitzgerald’s Galway bets:

14:10 – Fakiera
14:45 – Sole Pretender
15:20 – Aurora Princess
15:55 – Affogato
16:30 – Falcon Eight
17:05 – My Mate Mozzie (each-way)

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

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