As well as the allowance that the 3yos get here, Doolin Dancer benefits from the 3lb claim of Joey Sheridan here which could prove invaluable. Ken Condon’s colt has improved with each run this season, with his last two outings giving him solid claims of a first victory in 11 months here. He was beaten less than 3l in a three-runner affair at Cork two starts back, running better than the official weights suggested he would, before just failing to run down Moddy Poddle at Killarney, in a race that has since been boosted with that victor finishing second in the Cambridgeshire next time out.
A drop in trip could see Andy Oliver’s charge surprise one or two people here. He’s pulled too hard in his races over 10f+ this season, including when still managing to finish a good third behind the talented Gordon Stakes winner, Ottoman Emperor at Cork at the start of the season. Back over a mile, a trip over which he split the 109-rated Kyprios and 99-rated Flying Visit last term, he might be seen to better effect. Having started the season off rated 85, the son of Pride Of Dubai is now off a mark of 73, and back over a more suitable trip, could be well-treated.
Most of these are very in and out of form, popping up every now and then without stringing together consistent performances, but that can’t be said for Eastern Racer. Sean Byrne’s charge has run five good races in defeat this season, and while he’s not got his head in front, the handicapper has given him plenty of rope. He got a bump late on when finishing mid-pack over track and trip last time out, and gets the benefit of a 3lb drop in the weights this time around. That puts him 4lb below his last winning mark, which was overcome at this course and distance last season.
A somewhat underwhelming line-up for this Listed race, with some fillies clearly not up to it, while others look to want further or are simply out of form. And while Merroir is behind some of these on official ratings, she ticks the latter two boxes nicely. Joseph O’Brien’s filly has won three of her last six, and only been out of the frame once in those runs. She perhaps hit the front a little too soon when third at the Curragh last time out, but still ran to a Racing Post Rating that exceeds her official rating for the second race in a row. With a bit more restraint, she could come onto the scene late for a bit of a turn-up.
For seven days in the summer, Galway is the talk of the town. The mixed, flat and national hunt meeting is the event of the year for many, with the social aspect of the occasion complimenting the racing nicely.
At the Festival, the Galway Plate and Galway Chase are the big prizes up for grabs, with the former having been in existence for over 150 years. Over 140,000 people make their way through the turnstiles to witness some of the most competitive racing around every year in July and August.
