DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY AUGUST 2
1.50 GALWAY
One of the most lucrative systems at the Galway festival over the years has been to side with horses who have run – or preferably to have won – at the meeting earlier in the week, and TIMURSHAN looks booked to keep the trend at a healthy level in the opening handicap hurdle.
Despite winning his previous two starts, Aidan Melia’s inmate was allowed to go off at 12-1 on the first day of the meeting and he went on to make that price seem a bit of a gift, scoring with any amount in hand.
Having previously won at Sligo, he adapted well to the similar contours of Ballybrit and handy from the outset, he assumed command coming down the hill before striding clear in the latter stages.
Clearly a horse at the peak of his powers, even his revised mark might not be enough to prevent him from going in again.
TIMURSHAN – 1-point win@3-1
2.55 GALWAY
Noel Meade has enjoyed a fantastic week at the festival with two winners on the board and the Meath handler might not be finished yet with GOLDEN TEMPLE gaining a strong vote to go one place better than his runner-up spot here over hurdles four days ago.
Back over hurdles after a successful foray over fences at Kilbeggan previously, the six-year-old looked like following up when he swept into the lead jumping the last but, in the end, he just lost out to the powerful finish of the patiently ridden, Mighty Berkshire, and he had to settle for a gallant second.
Handling the heavily watered ground that evening at least now offers more hope he will cope with one or two showers that are forecast in the area today and back over fences with that all-important experience of the track under his belt, the son of Galileo Gold makes plenty of sense from an each-way perspective.
GOLDEN TEMPLE – 1-point each-way@9-2 (five places)
4.00 GALWAY
Pierre Royal was a shade unlucky not to justify favouritism in the BMW Mile here earlier in the week and he will have his supporters again on his return to Ballybrit.
However, there is a drop of rain forecast in the lead up to the race and whether he will be as suited by the possible change in ground conditions is open to question.
One who won’t mind any ease in the ground is DUNUM and despite a disappointing outcome in the big race on Tuesday night, Natalia Lupini’s gelding can bounce back to his best form.
Bidding to land the competitive mile contest for the second year running, the veteran adopted his usual position towards the front end of the field but eyeballed by Lord Massusus, he didn’t obtain the uncontested lead he desired, and, in the end, he faded back through the field at the furlong pole.
A winner of this race back in 2023, he has since gone on to finish third in the last two renewals and with that all-important run under his belt, the son of Ivawood can maintain that record with a good break from his favourable inside draw (was drawn in stall 10 the other night).
DUNUM – ½ point each-way@11-1 (four places)
4.22 CHESTER
ALPHA CAPTURE can be regarded as a very unlucky loser at York last time out and he rates a solid choice to make amends in a race that, other than Blue Prince, doesn’t offer too much in the way of quality opposition.
A winner in a fast speed figure at Doncaster three starts ago, Roger Fell’s inmate had the misfortune to bump into the upwardly mobile, Return Of The Gods, on his return to the same C&D next time and he was a strong choice with many punters to make amends on the Knavesmire last time out.
Unfortunately, the six-year-old ran down several blind alleys inside the final two furlongs when seemingly full of running and in the end, he had to settle for a finish outside the placings.
However, his effort went a long way to suggest he remains in top form and providing he adapts to today’s unique track at the first time of asking, he has a golden opportunity to take advantage of a significant drop in grade.
ALPHA CAPTURE – 1-point win@11-4