Galway Hurdle Tips and Day 4 NAP: 'I think he could still be 10lb well in'

The Guinness Galway Hurdle takes place this Thursday, and we have seen some famous winners over the years along with some dramatic finishes.

We only have to rewind the clock back to last year, where a tense 20-minute inquiry took place between two great friends in Noel Meade and Gordon Elliott. It was judged that Helvic Dream caused interference, which resulted in the Gordon Elliott-trained Ndaawi being promoted and deemed the winner.

We have seen famous stories like Tudor City winning the race twice, while the legend that was Sharjah also gained victory before his Grade 1 days began.

Graded horse in a handicap?

This year we have the likes of El Cairos who had the "he could be anything" factor about him last year, but since that devastating turn of pace he showed at Leopardstown before coming down, he has probably disappointed slightly.

However, he could be a graded horse in a handicap, and if his jumping holds up, which I feel it can, then he should be very competitive for Gordon Elliott, who always has a liking for this race. He also has Ndaawi in it, who was last year's winner.

Harry Cobden is riding Puturhandstogether for Joseph O'Brien, and he's a Boodles Handicap winner, so this tightly packed field won't be an issue. He certainly has the class for a race like this.

The unexposed horse for me in this handicap is Eric McNamara's Starting Fifteen who will be ridden by Sean Flanagan. He was an impressive winner of a maiden hurdle at Limerick and should have beaten subsequent Grade 1 Tattersalls Novice Hurdle winner Talk The Talk on his run before that victory. He ran well for a long way in that Grade 1 at Leopardstown, but he was too keen early, and the same happened again in the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Aintree.

For me, he's an excellent horse that should be able to make plenty of use of a mark of 135. I think he could still be 10lb well in, but we'll just have to see.

Keep an eye on this 33-1 shot

I feel there has to be a chance given to the Yvonne Latta-trained Thisistheway at 33/1. The seven-year-old mare will be racing off 10st, and adding in Michael Kenneally, who is claiming 5lb, I feel this horse has been given a serious chance to be involved.

She was second at the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown after a fine display out in front, and I feel she has the tactical speed to be involved early. The drop back down in trip will also be ideal, as she doesn't want to be on her own in the final furlong for too long.

She had a great run at Bellewstown on her latest start, given a patient ride by jockey Cian Quirke, and she just hit the front before getting outstayed. She was also still travelling well in a good handicap hurdle at Punchestown when coming down three out before that. For me, she has definitely been given an opportunity to run a big race, and having top conditional jockey Michael Kenneally on board is a massive plus.

Nap of Day 4

Meriden in the 14:45 is my best bet on Wednesday. If it's not broken, don't fix it, and the story of Meriden this season has been nothing but remarkable. Since her victory off a mark of 57 at Down Royal on 29th May, she has gone on to win four more races in a row, making it five victories on the bounce. She is now rated 103.

It's a magic story for young owner Patrick O'Brien, who has his first superstar. She's an honest filly who gives everything, and the further the straight, the better she is.

This looks a decent renewal, but for me she's still on an upward trajectory, and if she can hit the front, I don't see anything outbattling her up the straight. She's just relentless and honest, and once you have those qualities, you can stay at the top of your game.

I am confident she can make it six in a row, and that's what Galway is all about — magic stories like Meriden climbing the ranks.

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