Galway Plate - 'Paul Townend always takes a lovely line in Galway. I call it the "Ruby line"

Lead analyst and jockey coach Paddy Flood, who rode at Ballybrit during his time as jockey, looks back at what makes the track so unique and how to ride the Galway Plate.

On the latest Jockey Angle show, he provides in-depth and fascinating insights into race riding at Galway:

• The chaotic starts of the Galway Plate rivalled only by Cheltenham
• Darragh O’Keeffe's front-running tactics aboard Amirite
• The need for a unique horse with speed rather than a typical three-mile staying chaser type
• The first fence positioning
• Mid-race tactics
• The final two fences and finding your rhythm
• Danny Gilligan’s race riding skills on last year’s winner Western Fold
• The “Ruby Line” and why Paul Townend rides Galway so well

Watch the full analysis on what you need to win a Galway Plate

Danny Gilligan’s impressive race riding to win last year

I'm going to show you Danny Gilligan and the rider on Jesse Evans. These two ride the fences absolutely perfectly. Watch Darragh O’Keeffe as well, he's a little more aggressive.

Also watch the maroon colours and the JP horse. Pay attention to the difference between the horses that finish first and second compared to those that finish well behind.

Watch Danny Gilligan going down to the fence. Loose rein. Loose rein. Just lets the horse pop away. Then exactly the same at the second fence.

They might still come back on the bridle, but by the time you reach the winning line, any unnecessary energy you've used there really tells because it's a long, lonely straight.

The ‘Ruby line’

One thing you might notice in Galway chases going forward is Paul Townend's line. Paul always takes a lovely line in Galway. I call it the "Ruby line".

Once he turns in, whether he's on the inside or outside, he'll always head towards this white rail.

It's a great bit of riding that Ruby Walsh used years ago. That's where the doctors and ambulances drive down the track, and it saves a bit of ground.

Those two riders produced a cracking piece of riding over the last fence. As I said, you want to approach it without asking your horse to shorten too much, without standing off too far long, while keeping your momentum flowing forward.

About Paddy Flood

Life as a jockey

Which trainers did you ride for when you were a jockey?

Dessie Hughes, Edward O'Grady, Mouse Morris, Mick Halford and Martin Brasil.

In Australia - Leon and Troy Corstons who trained Starspangledbanner, Gai Waterhouse, and Ciaron Maher.

Your three most memorable wins as a jockey?

Cheltenham Coral Cup on Ninetieth Minute, Irish Grand National on Hear The Echo and the Morgiana Hurdle on Hardy Eustace.

Most underrated skill of a jockey?

Brains and balls! One is no good without the other and strength, I'm not sure people know how physically strong jockeys are for their weight.

One thing fans don't realise about race riding?

In some jumps races you might only see 3 out of the 10 jumps, usually in big handicaps you hear the hurdles but don’t see much of them.

Favourite racehorse of all time (one you rode)?

Ponmeoath who won 2 Kerry Nationals back-to-back, he was tiny but the best jumper of a fence I ever sat on.

Jockey coaching

What's the first thing you look for in a young jockey?

Attitude, if they can listen to instruction/advice that's the perfect start, you can teach all the other steps.

Biggest mistake young riders make?

Young riders can reach for the whip when they come under pressure,they tend to go from 1st gear to 5th, by that I mean they expect horses to go from hard on the bridle to flat out in a matter of a few strides, this usually unbalances horses and they don't enjoy it.

One piece of advice for anyone dreaming of becoming a jockey?

Keep your eyes and ears open, watch and learn from the better people. If you're going to be a jockey you have to be committed to the hard work that goes with it.

Best advice you've ever been given?

Don't spend time worrying about what people think of you, you're not that important!

Race analysis

Favourite race to analyse?

A race with a bit of drama! Good or bad.

What's the one thing you notice that most viewers miss?

I tend to watch the jockey's body language from early in the race and I can tell if they are happy or not.

Which current jockey do you most enjoy watching and why?

Darragh O’Keeffe. He has such good balance over a jump and is strong as an ox in a finish, he will give a horse in a 3yo hurdle the same ride as a horse in a Grade 1.

Favourite racehorse of all time (not one you rode)?

Kauto Star, he dined at the top table for so long and the fact he could throw in a sketchy jump and always had you on the edge of your seat. Him and Ruby were a match made in heaven!