The two mile Topaz Handicap (third race at 6.10pm) has attracted the most interest in betting markets this morning, with Rainforest Magic Wee Giant and Isabellareine all coming in for support.
Rainforest Magic looks likely to threaten Dorset Square (quite weak out to 7/2 with Paddy Power and Boylesports) for favouritism.
The Dermot Weld-trained gelding is without a run in six months but that has not put off punters who snapped up early quotes of 6/1 with Coral and 5's with Powers and Boylesports. The Montjeu gelding is now generally a 4/1 chance.
Wee Giant has been backed with Powers (16/1 to 9/1) and Boylesports (14/1 in to 10's), while Isabellareine is 12/1 with Boylesports (from 16's) and Coral (from 14's) and just 9/1 with Victor Chandler and William Hill (both went 11/1).
The featured Topaz Mile (6.45pm) has been relatively quite so far, with New Magic one of the few to attract some support. Dermot McLoughlin's charge is now 14/1 (from 20's) with Boylesports and William Hill but just 12/1 with a lot of firms. Toufan Express a course and distance winner at the Festival 12 months ago, has shown little in three outings this season but has still been well backed this morning. Paddy Power cut him from 25/1 to 12/1 while Boylesports (20/1 to 14/1) and William Hill (20/1 to 12/1) have also slashed the price. Truckers Delight is a solid 5/2 favourite for the second race this evening, the 2m6f Latin Quarter Chase, while Miss Mary Mac has also been supported here (generally 8/1).
The maiden races are usually strong betting heats at Galway but surprisingly the 7.15 (two-year-old fillies) and 8.15 (three-year-olds) have been very quiet so far. Weld provides the favourite in both races, with his juvenile Mahaazen generally priced up at 7/4 and Catch The Eye a prohibitive 4/9 in the finale.
(information correct at 12.30pm)
Alan Magee
