Galway Preview - Day 1

If this race wasn't in Galway, I would be going for Dawerann. However Dermot Weld is the undisputed 'King Of Ballybrit', and his DIPLOMAT has been nicely setup for this contest. The son of Kitten's Joy beat subsequent Triumph Hurdle hero Our Conor by a nose in a race on the level at the Festival last year, and he took the valuable Kingdom Gold Cup at Killarney a few weeks later. He disappointingly failed to score on his first three efforts over hurdles, but he got it right at Sligo on his last start, as he eased to a cheeky one length win over King William, and that fellow gave the form a boost by scoring at Ballinrobe last week. Weld has won this race five times in the last ten years, and with Ruby Walsh aboard the selection, he can be expected to make it six from eleven. Dawerann is given second preference. With a stronger drive he would have beaten Ebazan (who re-opposes here) at Ballinrobe on his penultimate start, but he shed his maiden tag on his next outing at Roscommon with Barry Geraghty in the saddle. Geraghty is again on board here and he should go close. Boss's Star beat the smart Cailin Annamh at Down Royal on his last start, and the Peter Casey trained gelding looks to have solid claims. King Of The Picts and UK raider Sky Khan are others to consider, while Vito De Beauchene is an interesting contender, making his debut for Fran Flood in the colours of seven time winner P'tit Fute.

Unsurprisingly competitive contest and I'm going to take a chance on HABESH. The Eugene O'Sullivan trained gelding has performed well on his two previous visits to Ballybrit, finishing third on both occasions. He has been disappointing of late but returning to Galway may bring out the best in him. He is also fitted with a tongue strap for the first time, and with Paddy Kennedy taking a valuable five pounds off, he should give a good account of himself. Foot Soldier ran a cracker at Cork on his penultimate start, finishing just half a length second to The Boat People. He was sent off the favourite on his next outing at Sligo but he could only manage a disappointing third, in a race which was of a poor standard. If he reproduces his Cork effort he can be expected to go close under Denis Hogan. Aladdins Cave has been performing with credit on the level of late, and with Barry Geraghty booked to ride, a good run can be expected from the two time hurdles winner. Carlowsantana is another with solid each-way claims. He ran away with a handicap chase at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival and despite disappointing at Punchestown, he shaped on well on the flat at Leopardstown recently. Regusci is lurking as first reserve and should the Tony Martin trained gelding get in, it would come as no surprise if he ran a big race off of a handy weight.

Dermot Weld and Aidan O'Brien have been battling for supremacy in this race for the last while, with the duo dominating for the last seven years. Weld has had the upper hand in this time period, winning the contest five times, with the other two going to O'Brien. They are both represented by strong contenders again this year and I'm going to side with O'Brien's FRIENDSHIP. This son of Galileo has three runs to his name, making him the most experienced runner in the field. He finished a decent ninth in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, before finishing second to the smart Exogenesis at Leopardstown on his last start. Mustajeeb represents Weld and he has just one run to his name, that coming back in May, when he finished a good fourth to Sir John Hawkins. Considering Sir John Hawkins was put in his place by Exogenesis at Leopardstown on Thursday, the selection should be able to account for Mustajeeb. Ger Lyons doesn't usually have many runners at the Festival but he is represented by Sniper here. This fellow has just one run to his name, finishing a decent sixth behind subsequent Group 2 winner Sudirman, and he can be expected to come on for that effort. Jim Bolger is represented by newcomer Royal Focus, and he warrants the utmost respect, while Dai Bando is another one to consider after he was beaten just six lengths in the Anglesey Stakes on his last start.

As is generally the case in this contest, it is hard to rule out any of them. It is a puzzler of race and OILILY is a token choice. The Sean Byrne trained mare is in-foal to Presenting and after her win last time out at Cork, Byrne said; 'she seems sweeter now'. Her Cork victory came over hurdles and I was impressed by her there, as she eased to a three length victory. There is concerns about her fondness for Ballybrit, but she is worth taking a chance on with Sean Byrne Junior taking a valuable seven pound off. Redera also impressed on his last start at Dundalk, winning a two mile handicap in convincing fashion, and he is given second preference. Maxine O'Sullivan is a capable rider and she takes seven pound off which will should help the Tony Martin trained gelding no end. Knockcroghery is another in-foal, and she has won her last three, two of which were on the level. The chestnut filly will be ridden by Rachel Blackmore and she is another to take seven pound off. The John Nicholson trained six-year-old ran twice at the Festival last year, finishing fifth and second respectively, and another good run can be expected from her. Derek O'Connor is a notable jockey booking on Cry For The Moon, and the Jim Culloty trained gelding looks to have solid claims, while the same can be said for Notable Graduate, for last year's winning combo of Dermot Weld and Jane Mangan, and Call Me Bubbles, for Patrick and Willie Mullins.

The Dermot Weld trained PEACE ACCORD hasn't shown much to date, but having his first start in handicap company an improved performance can be expected. The son of Pivotal will be wearing blinkers for the first time and he is sure to attract plenty of support amongst punters. Target Acquired put in a good, tough performance to win at Down Royal on Friday, and despite the fact he has to contend with top weight, another solid run looks likely from the consistent Andrew Oliver trained chestnut. C'Est Ma Souer is another consistent sort. She won on her penultimate start at Fairyhouse and another good run can be expected from her. Rock On Coco wasn’t beaten far on her last two efforts, and with Connor King in the saddle, she looks to have solid each-way claims. In what is yet another competitive contest, Ravello Again, Strapless and Lady O'Malley are others to consider.

IRISH BULLETIN made up an extraordinary amount of ground in the closing stages, as he came through to just deny Flowing Air at Wexford on Saturday. Ronan Whelan partnered him there and he said afterwards; 'I probably should have got stuck into him earlier. That was his first handicap and he’s still green'. The Jim Bolger trained colt bids to quickly follow up here under a mandatory five pound penalty, and with the experience of that Wexford run under his belt, he should go close with Rory Cleary in the saddle. Dermot Weld is represented by Pay Day Kitten and she will be partnered by the red-hot Connor King. Despite the fact King takes five pounds off, the bay filly still has plenty of weight to contend with, and although a good run can be expected, I think she may find one or two just a bit too good. Melanippe takes a step up in class here, but with Ian Brennan taking three pounds off, she could run well off bottom weight. Great Explorer was tough in winning on his last two starts, and another good display can be expected from him, while Abu Nayef is another to consider after he flew home to win at Killarney on his last start.

RIVERSIDE CITY shaped up well on his debut at Down Royal recently, and he is given the nod in what looks a competitive heat. The Gordon Elliott trained gelding finished fourth to the smart Nathans Pride in a winners bumper and he should come on plenty for that experience. He is out of Blazing Sky, who was a great servant to Frank McGuiness, winning a Listed bumper and hurdle, as well as two other races. Wicklow Brave is given second preference. He finished second in a bumper at Punchestown on his second start and although the form of that race hasn't worked out brilliantly, he should still go close for Willie and Patrick Mullins. Dermot Weld is represented by newcomer Marty's Magic, who will run in the famous Dr Michael Smurfit silks. Although he can be expected to go close, the lack of experience may come against him. Sukiyaki also warrants respect for Jim Bolger and Katie Walsh, despite the fact he disappointed on his debut, while the Harry Kelly trained newcomer Meldrum Hall is another to consider with Pa King in the saddle.