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What does it take to win a Galway Hurdle? Former Galway Hurdle-winning jockey Paddy Flood tells us
irishracing.com news
Looking back at the list of the past winners of the Galway Hurdle, readers will notice a familiar name in Paddy Flood, who landed the prize in 2006, making all aboard Cuan Na Grai.
Reminiscing on his days in the saddle, he said: “There's something about Galway and I can't quite put my finger on it. When I got there, it didn't matter if the horse was 50/1, 100/1, 5/2 or 2/1 - I felt like I was going to win.
“I loved riding around Galway. I loved the buzz of it. It just made me feel a foot taller. So if you're having a bet and you fancy a horse that has Galway form, stick with it. Stick to your guns.”
Thursday’s feature no doubt stirs plenty of nostalgia in the former jockey and in the latest episode of ‘The Jockey Angle’ he offers up his views and insights into what makes the race so unique and why it takes bravery and guts to land the coveted prize.
Paddy Flood’s Analysis
Say you're one or two off the rail - that's actually where the winner comes from.
You might think you've nowhere to go, but if you're three or four off the rail, all of a sudden you're dictated to by the horse in front of you, and the horse inside him dictates where he goes.
But if you're in there and you're brave enough to ride down to the second last from that position, nine times out of ten in Galway, when they land over the second last, the horses in front start taking on the leader and tend to drift a little bit off the bend.
If you're brave enough to stay there until the second last, two off the rail, you'll get your reward nine times out of ten.
Donagh Meyler unlucky to lose race last year
You can see Donagh Meyler, he's happy to stay there until the second last. Now you see all these horses starting to come under the pump. As they do, Donagh has only now decided to come off the rail. He's three wide, but he's got a completely clear run through.
He jumps the last well. Paul Townend doesn't jump the last as well. The last is very important.
Paul caught me a couple of years in the Galway Hurdle - I think it was his first Galway Hurdle and he caught me late on.
Now Donagh gets by on Noel Meade's horse, but unfortunately he loses it in the stewards' room. I thought it was a very, very good ride. I thought it was a little harsh to lose it.
If you're looking at horses in Galway, even if they're out of form, but you see they have Galway form, don't be afraid to back them.
I'll also say that if a jockey has a good record in Galway, even if they don't look to have the best book of rides, stick with them.
