By Aodán Boland
We had one winner and two placed horses on day two. Let’s get straight into the action for Galway Plate Day.
5.10pm Tote Maiden Hurdle
Dancing On My Own finished fourth in a Grade One at Leopardstown earlier this year so he sets the standard here. Days Without End is the each way option but I expect Dancing On My Own to dominate his rivals in the opener on Plate Day.
5.40pm Tote Handicap Hurdle
Twenty will take the post for this wide open race. Market favorite Megalomaniac is chasing his third win in a row but he’ll need to be at the top of his game to take this. Cooldine Bog, Generator City and Castle North all bring good form to the table but I’ll take a chance on Joseph O’Brien’s Air Supremacy each way at a current price of 40/1. He has dropped down in class and if he can spark some of his 2018 form than he has a very good chance at a tasty price.
6.10pm Tote Mares Handicap Hurdle
There is a couple of English raiders in this one who both have a lively chance, especially current market leader Ena Baiefor trainer Harry Fry and owner JP McManus. She beat some useful rivals at Southwell recently and should be able to cope with a 8 pound rise up the weights so she has a lively chance in this one.
6.45pm Tote Trifecta (Q.R) Maiden
This should be a pretty straight forward win for the classy Buildmeupbuttercup. She finished second in the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot last month and this is a big drop in class for her so she should win this with ease. Run For Mary and Formal Order are the most likely to follow her home.
7.20pm Tote Galway Plate
The big one of the week, The Galway Plate worth a massive €300,000. It’s as open as ever and with most bookmakers paying 6 places, make sure to back your selection each way. The favorite, Borice and classy English raiders Black Corton and Azzuri come into this with fantastic winning form and deserve to be among the favorites. So does Peregrine Run who has won his last five races for trainer Peter Fahey. Gordon Elliott has five runners in this and one that I think has gone under the raider is Ravenhill. He’s a very good jumper and has won over this trip in his last start at Limerick earlier this month so I give him a good chance at a nice price.
8pm Bet With The Tote Handicap
Frosty Beach, Balefire and Leagan Gaeilge are all in terrific form but Tauran Shaman was a very impressive winner on his debut at Killarney a fortnight ago and if he can run to the same caliber this evening than he defiantly has a chance.
8.30pm Tote Superfecta Handicap
Willie Mullins holds a strong hand with Scaglietti and Eight And Bob. Both are very strong in the market and they clearly are the two to beat but I’ll take a chance on Galway regular, Camlann. He has a fantastic record here and can make his presence felt in the last race at Ballybrit on Plate Day.