Day 4 Galway Festival preview

SPRING HEELED looks a cut above the opposition. Jim Culloty’s charge was successful on his only previous visit to this venue when taking a maiden hurdle a few seasons back, and has taken well to fences. He’s gained vital handicap experience which will really stand to him here, and was only just denied in a competitive event at Leopardstown before again making the frame over a similar trip in a valuable handicap at the Punchestown Festival. The forecast for significant rain should hold no terrors for the six-year-old Old Vic gelding. Heaney holds a similar level of form over hurdles as the selection but has yet to set the world alight over fences. His jumping has lacked a bit of fluency but may improve following three outings and, if that is the case, he could prove a serious threat. Golden Wonder hails from a stable in good form, and looked a staying chaser in the making when opening his account in a three-mile maiden hurdle at Bellewstown last time. (AM)

Connections of REBEL FITZ decided to go for this instead of the Tote-sponsored Galway Plate, and the exciting French-bred should complete a hat-trick over fences. The Mick Winters-trained gelding enjoyed his finest hour on this day 12 months ago when taking the Guinness Galway Hurdle, and is getting his act together over fences judged on convincing wins on varying ground at Ballinrobe and Killarney. The latter victory was made much easier by the tragic exit of chief rival Beachdale Lad but he still sets a very high standard here. Changing The Guard was quite a bit behind the selection over hurdles but he’s taken really well to fences with two easy wins at Newton Abbot. He pulverised two rivals both rated in the mid-120’s last time, and will certainly make this a serious test. Sizing Italy had Steps To Freedom among his victims at Killarney a few weeks ago but, with a tendency to jump left at times, may not be best suited to this track. (AM)

MEASURED APPROVAL overcame a poor draw when successful over this trip at Killarney last time, and, with a much more favourable stall position on this occasion, he may prove up to defying a 9lb hike in the ratings. The going was fast then but Pat Flynn’s charge coped equally well on a testing surface when scoring twice last season. Ted Dolly is an interesting rival. He’s been in good form over hurdles of late and made the frame behind Aladdins Cave on the opening evening of the Festival on Monday. It’s quite a while since he was campaigned on the Flat over this type of trip but his rating is back close to when last successful in that sphere at Naas two years ago. Cheval Rouge has shown a liking for cut in the ground in the past, and could well bounce back from a disappointing effort at Navan especially with the bonus of stall one. Maundy Money has proved a great servant to connections but he’s surely got too much on here with a 17lb rise for two recent wins at Roscommon and Killarney. (AM)

Lady Wingshot and YELLOW ROSEBUD were only separated by a head when filling the first two placings in this race last year but there are strong grounds for believing the Dermot Weld-trained filly can come out on top on this occasion. She enjoys a 5lb pull at the weights compared to that clash 12 months ago, and gave Jim Bolger’s challenger a comprehensive beating when the pair met at level weights in the mud at Tipperary last autumn. The selection is likely to be primed for this event but has already shown some good form this term including when a close-up third in the Group 3 Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown last time. Sendmylovetorose handled soft ground very well last year when scoring twice in Group company including the Cherry Hinton Stakes on the July course at Newmarket. However she makes a belated seasonal debut here, and perhaps the market may provide the best guide to her prospects. (AM)

When former 'pointer' BALLY LONGFORD started off by getting beaten in a few bumpers you'd have doubted his ability to reach a mark of 130. Perhaps he wants a bit of better ground, so that's a worry, but the Gold Well gelding has looked like a progressive type since being launched over flights and maybe he'll back up a Clonmel maiden success now. Our Man Zebo (tongue-strap on now), another to begin in the 'pointing' fields, seems to be versatile in terms of going and despite having a bit to do with the selection on official figures he rates a big danger. Tony McCoy's presence in the plate and the addition of cheek-pieces could help with Cailin Annamh's jumping. Benemeade, Aranhill Chief, Butney Rock and Nevskij can't be left out of it either. (EM)

I put up MILEY SHAH when he was slammed into second by Cry For The Moon at Killarney back in May. That eight length defeat was no disgrace considering he went off a 28/1 shot on that occasion. Having started out in point-to-points, there's no doubt about Miley Shah's staying power and stamina is going to be an important asset given the likely testing ground conditions. Other positives are the blinkers that are now put on for the first time and Kevin Sexton's claim brings the City Honours eight-year-old's weight down to just ten stone one. He should at least give investors, at a big price, a thrill - with a likely never far from the pace effort. In an event like this I like to see trainers try something new so to that end Cause Of Causes (first-time cheek-pieces and the red-hot Jody McGarvey up), Rock Critic (tongue-strap on now) and Moon Dice (previous winner and blinkers tried) attract attention. Others that you'd be foolish not to consider strongly are Drive Time, Ted Veale, Pique Sous, Missunited, Rawnaq, Thomas Edison, Flaxen Flare and indeed the 'sneaky one' down the bottom, Viconte du Noyer. (EM)

You'll have to keep a close eye on how GRIS LADERA goes here on Wednesday but she's potentially interesting. The course winner has got a good draw here in one and with Luke Dempsey booked the grey is very much one to note. Dusty Trail won this in 2010 and despite being drawn wide he has to have a squeak with first-time cheek-pieces tried. Haverstock could come into it if a first-time tongue-strap helps. Others that enter the equation are Treasure The Ridge, the import Coolfighter, Greenbelt Star, Shalaman and Why But Why but in truth there are not many that can confidently be ruled out. (EM)

Maybe he wants better ground but as he's out of a Roselier mare, there must be a good chance that GOLDBOY will cope with the testing surface now. His sire, Gold Well seems to be a strong influence for stamina so going up to this trip on a stiff track could be 'just the job' for the twice previously raced beaten favourite. You'd be hoping that the market will give a good guide with Dont Tell No One and if he's strong in the betting he'd obviously be much respected. I like the stock of Alhaarth on soft ground so Estilaam could make his presence felt. Willie Mullins, trainer of Goldboy, has the first two reserves so watch developments there. There are others that would come into it if money arrived so monitor the ring for clues elsewhere. (EM)