DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY JULY 28
2.45 YARMOUTH
The two-year-old contest won by Amakhala Warrior at Haydock a month ago has turned into be a proper cash cow with the likes of the winner, fifth, seventh and eighth all winning since and with both MONASTRY (best price 7-2) and PEARL RIVER (best price 6-1) shaping particularly well for different reasons in fourth and sixth respectively, there is a decent chance one of the pair will carry forward the torch for the race in this similar event.
The former was ridden with plenty of patience 37 days ago and although he had no hard luck stories to tell down the straight, it was still a performance of some encouragement.
Finishing ahead of three subsequent winners, the son of St Mark’s Basilica hails from a stable that often do well at today’s track and anything other than a big run would have to go down as a disappointment.
The latter, other than the winner, was arguably the biggest eye-catcher in that well-run affair at the Merseyside venue, running up the backside of horses dropping back in his lap inside the final furlong and with a clearer run, he may well have given William Knight’s colt a bit more to think about.
Likely to have benefitted greatly from that initial outing, he could have loads more to offer and despite the only unknown being today’s softer surface, Richard Hannon’s inmate is still well worth a punt.
MONASTRY – 1-point win@7-2
PEARL RIVER – 1-point win@6-1
5.10 GALWAY
The opening contest of the seven-day bonanza at Ballybrit sees a likely regular sight during the week, a Willie Mullins-trained hotpot, but even allowing for the fact Davy Crockett could well turn out to be a cut above the rest, LOS TOLDOS (best price 20-1) rates the better value alternative at the morning odds.
Shark Hanlon’s inmate was quite impressive when landing a maiden hurdle at Cork on just his second start over hurdles and since then, the likes of Killeaney Bear, Tassarolo and Mick Collins (reopposes today) have all won similar events next time.
Given a spin on the Flat at Leopardstown 11 days ago just to fine-tune his preparations, unfortunately he failed to complete his mission due to clipping heels and unseating his pilot two out but providing he has suffered no lasting damage from that untimely exit, the scopey son of Frankel should be good enough to give his supporters a decent spin.
LOS TOLDOS – ½ point each-way@20-1
6.40 GALWAY
A race which is traditionally the biggest betting event on day one of the Galway Festival and jockeyship and the draw are two of the most dominant factors.
Contrary to popular believe, a bit like so many races on the round track at Royal Ascot, being pinned down on the inside fence can have a detrimental effect and looking at the role of honour in the past decade, only two horses have defied single figure draws.
Significantly, many of the previous winners had form around Ballybrit in the past and the one who ticks most boxes this year is RAGMANS CORNER.
A cracking fourth in a hot maiden over 1m4f here last season, doing well to overcome a poor trip out wide, Gerard Keane’s gelding returned to the undulating track three months later for a tilt at a handicap hurdle and this time he made no mistake.
Since that victory, the son of Kalanisi has continued to show good form and his three starts this season have resulted in two third placed finishes bookending a fine success at Navan, backed up by a solid speed figure – a career high.
Nicely berthed in stall 11, his course knowledge and assistance of the excellent Derek Lavery all add up to the six-year-old looking rather underestimated with the layers.
RAGMANS CORNER – 1-point each-way@16-1 (five places)