16:30
Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap (Grade 3)
Grade 3, Class 1, 2m, Hurdle, 4yo+, €162,000, 20 runners
Winning time 3m 43.30s
- Going
- Good
- Surface
- Turf
Tip for this race
All today's tips ›Solness stands clearly ahead of this 21-strong field on our ratings and has the profile to confirm that superiority over this stiff two-mile test at Galway, with his form entitling him to plenty of respect at this level. Casheldale Lad, Ndaawi and Laafi represent the chief dangers and will ensure this is no formality, but there is a meaningful gap between that trio and our selection. With confidence high and conditions looking suitable, Solness is the call.
Result
Daniel King
A J Martin
Settled midfield early - moved up on the inner two out - cruising into contention entering the straight - pushed through a gap approaching the last - hit the front on the run-in and stayed on gamely to the finish
Michael Kenneally (5)
Yvonne Latta
Tracked the pack early - back in 8th at halfway - urged into 4th after two out and up to 2nd approaching the last - stayed on at one gait to the finish
Darragh O'Keeffe
Henry De Bromhead
Shared front spot for a moment - settled just behind the front pair - 4th at halfway - small error 4 out - pushed along to narrow gap 2 out - hit the front entering straight - overtaken on run-in but held on for third
Eoghan Finegan (5)
Gerard Keane
Settled just behind the front pair early - 5th at halfway - pressed 2 out but unable to make headway - hit the last then stayed on to finish 4th beaten 3.75L
Brian Hayes
W P Mullins
Settled around midfield early - pushed along and made ground into the straight - 7th on the inner turn before finishing on well towards the line
Donagh Meyler
Noel Meade
Settled off the pace - still towards the back at halfway - pushed along and finding better form 2 out - moved up into 5th but clipped the last then edged on to the line
Jack Kennedy
Gordon Elliott
Held up in mid-pack - 6th at halfway - clipped 2 out and pushed along but unable to close before the last
Patrick M O'Brien (5)
William Durkan
Settled towards the back early - into the pack by halfway - pressed for effort approaching 2 out but unable to challenge and finished 8th one-paced
Josh Williamson (5)
Gordon Elliott
Shared the front spot early - settled just behind the pace and moved up front after the first before a small error at the 4th - hit the front approaching two out - pressed on but lost command entering the straight - unable to find more from the last
Sean Flanagan
E McNamara
Settled towards the back - pushed along and made headway approaching 2 out - unable to find more before the last - finished 10th
Sean Cleary-Farrell (7)
W P Mullins
up with the pack early - third at halfway then pushed into second with a small error two out - unable to find more before the last and beaten into 11th
James Smith (5)
Gordon Elliott
Held up in the pack - nudged for effort at halfway - under pressure and found little from 3 out - finished well held in 12th
J J Slevin
Joseph Patrick O'Brien
In share of front running early - hit front after 1st - challenged 5 out and driven on - urged 3 out - lost lead before following fence with a blunder there - found nothing more and dropped away
Mark Walsh
W P Mullins
Settled in the pack - pushed along and unable to quicken before 2 out - well held at the finish
Danny McMenamin
Andrew Slattery
Held up at the back - no impression made - well beaten in 15th
Danny Mullins
W P Mullins
Racing keenly early up with the pace - dropped into mid-division - 8th at halfway - hit the rail 3 out then found little under pressure late
Paul Townend
W P Mullins
Settled off the pace - still near the back at halfway - unable to make headway from 3 out and dropped away
Harry Cobden
Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Held a handy position through the pack early - pushed along and dropped towards the back after 3 out - faded through the closing stages to finish well held
Joshua Halford (7)
Gordon Elliott
Towards the back of the pack for much of the contest - serious error 5 out and dropped away to the tail - faded from 3 out and finished well held
Conor Stone-Walsh
Paul Nolan
tucked in off the pace - stumbled at the 3rd - 7th at the midway point - driven along and lost ground after 3 out then eased and pulled up
Non-runners: No Looking Back
Racecard
J J Slevin
Joseph Patrick O'Brien 15/68
Solness arrives here just 11 days after a placed effort — third last time out and a runner-up two starts back — showing he's in consistent form, and he has experience of today's trip and going. With a trainer firing at 28%, he's the one to beat.
- Sire
- Konig Turf (GER)
- Dam
- Solveigh (GER) by Tiger Hill
- Owner
- Bronsan Racing
- Foaled
- 25 Mar 2018
- Stable
- Owning Hill, Co Kilkenny
- Trainer last 14 days
- 15 wins from 68 runs (22%)
- Trainer running to form
- 70%
- Ratings
- Perf 172
Josh Williamson (5)
Gordon Elliott 4/37
Casheldale Lad arrives here as a double winner in recent starts, and has run over today's trip and going — giving him a solid profile at 165 lb off an official mark of 152. The sole concern is a fall two starts back, though a close third last time suggests confidence is intact.
- Sire
- Raven's Pass (USA)
- Dam
- Owega Dale (IRE) by Refuse To Bend
- Owner
- Bective Stud
- Foaled
- 27 Mar 2020
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 4 wins from 37 runs (11%)
- Trainer running to form
- 43%
- Ratings
- Perf 157
James Smith (5)
Gordon Elliott 4/37
Ndaawi bounces back from an unplaced run with a win on his latest start, and he has experience over today's trip and conditions, making him a genuine threat at 165 lb; the 60-day absence is the one query.
- Sire
- Cracksman (GB)
- Dam
- Mount Elbrus (GB) by Barathea
- Owner
- Easyfix
- Foaled
- 9 May 2020
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 4 wins from 37 runs (11%)
- Trainer running to form
- 43%
- Ratings
- Perf 153
Jack Kennedy
Gordon Elliott 4/37
Fourth last time out and fifth two starts back give El Cairos a modest recent profile, but a win three starts back shows he retains ability. He has experience over today's trip and going, though 93 days off the track is a fitness query at 156 lb.
- Sire
- No Risk At All (FR)
- Dam
- Linda Queen (FR) by Linda's Lad
- Owner
- Mrs L Rabson Bjm Limited
- Foaled
- 4 Apr 2020
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 4 wins from 37 runs (11%)
- Trainer running to form
- 43%
- Ratings
- Perf 143
Patrick M O'Brien (5)
William Durkan 0/7
Second last time out, with a disqualification before that muddying the waters, Laafi has run over today's trip and going and our rating of 150 marks him out as a serious contender; the main concern is 82 days off the track carrying 156 lb.
- Sire
- Cloth Of Stars (IRE)
- Dam
- Mediteranea (FR) by Smart Strike
- Owner
- Four D Partnership
- Foaled
- 2 Mar 2020
- Stable
- Sandyford, Co. Dublin
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 7 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 60%
- Ratings
- Perf 150
Harry Cobden
Joseph Patrick O'Brien 15/68
Winless in his last five starts, with a second four starts back the lone highlight in a patchy recent sequence, Puturhandstogether returns after 44 days off carrying 153 lb; has run over today's trip and going, and a trainer firing at 28% offers some hope.
- Sire
- Caravaggio (USA)
- Dam
- Round Of Applause (GB) by Galileo
- Owner
- John P Mcmanus
- Foaled
- 2 Apr 2021
- Stable
- Owning Hill, Co Kilkenny
- Trainer last 14 days
- 15 wins from 68 runs (22%)
- Trainer running to form
- 70%
- Ratings
- Perf 146
Danny Mullins
W P Mullins 8/37
Winless in his last four starts and returning on just three days' rest, Tounsivator faces a stiff ask carrying 152 lb, though he has run over today's trip and going before and a rating of 145 suggests he holds residual ability in a big field.
- Sire
- Motivator (GB)
- Dam
- Tounsi (FR) by Sendawar
- Owner
- Temple Bloodstock Tounsivator Syndicate
- Foaled
- 1 Apr 2019
- Stable
- Muine Bheag, Co Carlow
- Trainer last 14 days
- 8 wins from 37 runs (22%)
- Trainer running to form
- 52%
- Ratings
- Perf 145
Paul Townend
W P Mullins 8/37
Ran to some effect last time out with a second, and a winner two starts back keeps her profile alive, though she carries a hefty 151 lb and ranks seventh of 21 on our rating; has run over today's trip and going, but patchy recent form is the concern.
- Sire
- Doctor Dino (FR)
- Dam
- Belle Et Chic (FR) by Poliglote
- Owner
- Kenneth Alexander
- Foaled
- 19 Feb 2021
- Stable
- Muine Bheag, Co Carlow
- Trainer last 14 days
- 8 wins from 37 runs (22%)
- Trainer running to form
- 52%
- Ratings
- Perf 145
Mark Walsh
W P Mullins 8/37
Returned a winner four starts back but has pulled up since and was beaten again three days ago; he has run over today's trip and the 151 lb burden won't help him make his way back from the top of that recent slide.
- Sire
- Golden Horn (GB)
- Dam
- Above The Clouds (FR) by High Chaparral
- Owner
- H O S Syndicate
- Foaled
- 16 Mar 2021
- Stable
- Muine Bheag, Co Carlow
- Trainer last 14 days
- 8 wins from 37 runs (22%)
- Trainer running to form
- 52%
- Ratings
- Perf 143
Donagh Meyler
Noel Meade 3/13
Winless in his last four starts, though a second three starts back offers some encouragement; he has run over today's trip and going, and our rating of 143 suggests he holds ability. The 88-day absence and 149 lb burden are the key concerns.
- Sire
- Power (GB)
- Dam
- Rachevie (IRE) by Danehill Dancer
- Owner
- Mrs Caroline Hendron Mrs M Cahill
- Foaled
- 12 Mar 2017
- Stable
- Castletown, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 3 wins from 13 runs (23%)
- Trainer running to form
- 48%
- Ratings
- Perf 143
Sean Flanagan
E McNamara 1/13
Starting Fifteen landed a win three starts back and was second four starts back, but fifth last time out suggests he returns here out of form; has run over today's trip and going, though 111 days off the track and 148 lb to carry are notable hurdles.
- Sire
- City Light (FR)
- Dam
- M'Oubliez Pas (USA) by El Corredor
- Owner
- Starting Fifteen Partnership
- Foaled
- 22 Feb 2021
- Stable
- Rathkeale, Co. Limerick
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 13 runs (8%)
- Trainer running to form
- 28%
- Ratings
- Perf 138
Darragh O'Keeffe
Henry De Bromhead 6/42
Consistent enough in recent starts, with a win four starts back and another five starts back, but he hasn't converted in his last three outings — a fourth, third, and runner-up. Has run over today's trip and going, and returns fit on 20 days' rest, though 146 lb is a stern burden.
- Sire
- Yeats (IRE)
- Dam
- By The Hour (IRE) by Flemensfirth
- Owner
- Watchman Racing
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2020
- Stable
- Knockeen, Co Waterford
- Trainer last 14 days
- 6 wins from 42 runs (14%)
- Trainer running to form
- 50%
- Ratings
- Perf 135
Eoghan Finegan
Gerard Keane 1/5
Ragmans Corner won last time out and has distance and going experience in his favour, but ranked 19 of 21 on our figures he faces a stiff task here; 67 days off the track adds another question mark for the handicapper to weigh up.
- Sire
- Kalanisi (IRE)
- Dam
- Syska (IRE) by Presenting
- Owner
- Wet Room Syndicate
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2019
- Stable
- Trim, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 5 runs (20%)
- Trainer running to form
- 40%
- Ratings
- Perf 130
Daniel King
A J Martin 1/6
Ranked 17 of 21 on our figures, Putapoundinthejar faces a stiff ask under 142 lb, and his recent form is patchy — third and fifth in the two starts before that, though he does arrive on the back of a win last time out and has run over today's trip and going before.
- Sire
- Walk In The Park (IRE)
- Dam
- Blue Eyed Lucy (IRE) by Strategic Prince
- Owner
- Ray Grehan
- Foaled
- 19 Apr 2020
- Stable
- Summerhill, Co. Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 6 runs (17%)
- Trainer running to form
- 32%
- Ratings
- Perf 133
Brian Hayes
W P Mullins 8/37
Beauvallon has winning form in recent starts — a winner two starts back and again three starts back — but ranked bottom of the field on our figures, he faces a stiff task conceding weight all round off 141 lb, despite arriving fit and with experience of today's trip and going.
- Sire
- Camelot (GB)
- Dam
- Maria Lee (IRE) by Rock Of Gibraltar
- Owner
- Beauvallon Syndicate
- Foaled
- 12 May 2022
- Stable
- Muine Bheag, Co Carlow
- Trainer last 14 days
- 8 wins from 37 runs (22%)
- Trainer running to form
- 52%
- Ratings
- Perf 121
Conor Stone-Walsh
Paul Nolan 0/14
Sageborough bounced back to winning ways last time out, but his last-five record is mixed — a fall and two out-of-the-money finishes among them — and 64 days off plus 141 lb make confidence hard to hold at a handicap mark of 128.
- Sire
- Martinborough (JPN)
- Dam
- Sage Dance (FR) by Sageburg
- Owner
- Browne Coffey Families
- Foaled
- 8 May 2021
- Stable
- Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 14 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 21%
- Ratings
- Perf 135
Danny McMenamin
Andrew Slattery 5/33
Ranked 18 of 21 on our figures, Royal Hollow is hard to fancy despite a lively recent profile. She was a winner three starts back, and third two starts back, but 140 lb is a stern ask, and her rating of 127 leaves her well behind the top weights on paper; distance and going experience at least gives her a fair footing.
- Sire
- Beat Hollow (GB)
- Dam
- Winsor Royal (IRE) by Windsor Knot
- Owner
- Mrs Margaret Orourke
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2018
- Stable
- Thurles, Co Tipperary
- Trainer last 14 days
- 5 wins from 33 runs (15%)
- Trainer running to form
- 37%
- Ratings
- Perf 132
Joshua Halford (7)
Gordon Elliott 4/37
Barbizon has experience of today's trip and conditions, and a win in his last five starts gives him a platform, but back-to-back unplaced efforts are a concern; the 140 lb burden does him no favours here.
- Sire
- King Of Change (GB)
- Dam
- Mahsooba (USA) by Hard Spun
- Owner
- Gigginstown House Stud
- Foaled
- 1 Mar 2022
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 4 wins from 37 runs (11%)
- Trainer running to form
- 43%
- Ratings
- Perf 134
Sean Cleary-Farrell (7)
W P Mullins 8/37
Pulled up and unseated in two of his last four starts before a third last time out, Kai Lung arrives 65 days fresh and is hard to fancy ranked 15 of 21 on our figures; he has run over today's trip and going, and that sole recent win does at least show ability on a good day.
- Sire
- Galiway (GB)
- Dam
- Panda Queen (FR) by Exceed And Excel
- Owner
- Slaneyville Syndicate
- Foaled
- 7 Feb 2022
- Stable
- Muine Bheag, Co Carlow
- Trainer last 14 days
- 8 wins from 37 runs (22%)
- Trainer running to form
- 52%
- Ratings
- Perf 134
Michael Kenneally (5)
Yvonne Latta 0/0
Ranked 20 of 21 on our figures, Thisistheway is hard to fancy despite experience over today's trip and going; she does boast a win in her last five starts — five starts back — but a fall and a fourth in more recent outings make her a tough sell here.
- Sire
- Doyen (IRE)
- Dam
- Little Mitch (IRE) by Westerner
- Owner
- R C A Latta
- Foaled
- 11 Apr 2019
- Stable
- Enniscorthy, Co.Wexford
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 0 runs (None%)
- Trainer running to form
- 52%
- Ratings
- Perf 125
Oliver McKiernan 0/3
Winless in his last five starts, with a pulled up and two unplaced efforts among recent form, No Looking Back is hard to fancy ranked 16 of 21 on our figures; 89 days off adds to the concern, though a third two starts back and experience over today's trip and going offer slim encouragement.
- Sire
- Kingston Hill (GB)
- Dam
- Holy Vow (IRE) by Luso
- Owner
- Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited
- Foaled
- 27 Apr 2018
- Stable
- Rathcoole, Co Dublin
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 3 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 39%
- Ratings
- Perf 133
Draw in brackets. Headgear: b blinkers, v visor, h hood, t tongue strap, p cheekpieces, e/s eye shield; ¹ first time. C course winner, D distance winner, CD course and distance winner. Form reads oldest to newest.