We are delighted to welcome back former Tipsters Empire Tipster – CF TIPS!! We’ve been working closely with Cathryn since her unfortunate departure and she wanted to provide a free guest blog on the GALWAY PLATE & GALWAY HURDLE with FREE TIPS for all customers – take it away Cathryn…
Whatever your racing preference, there’s something for everyone this week. I am turning my attentions to Galway with a look at the two features – the Galway Plate and the Galway Hurdle.
Galway Plate – 2m6f11y – 5:30 Wednesday.
Try as I might I cannot see further than the market leader Road To Riches; the highest rated horse to ever contest Wednesday’s showpiece on Ballybrit. Since his win in the 2014 renewal off 149 (now on 162), he’s won a JN Wine Champion Chase, a Lexus Chase, come 3rd in a Cheltenham Gold Cup, won a Clonmel Oil Chase and on his last start, he had the Punchestown Gold Cup at his mercy before taking a bone shaking at the second last. He’s reportedly none the worse from the fall which left him sore for six weeks, having schooled at home and on course in preparation to regain his crown.
The one concern with Road To Riches is the amount of rain that is forecast to fall At Galway between now and the off time on Wednesday. Soft or heavy ground will not inconvenience him; it’s just going to make it harder to shoulder the allotted 11-10 in ground that yields. His closet rival on ratings is 9lbs away in the shape of last year’s 6th Alelchi Inois.
An each way selection to chase Road To Riches home would be Devils Bride in the same ownership of Gigginstown Stud. A course winner at Galway last September then followed up with a win at Listowel over 2m4f. He tackles 2m6f here for the first time but that’s not a worry; he’s a half-brother to Rigour Back Bob who won over 3m.
Road To Riches – 2pts win – 9/2 available with Bet Victor and Bet 365
Devils Bride – 0.5pts e/w – 20/1 available with Paddy Power
Galway Hurdle – 2m20y – 4:45 Thursday
It’s easy to see the rationale of Superb Story heading the market, he brings to the table top class handicap form; winner of the County Hurdle and a second place in the highly competitive Greatwood Hurdle. He’s risen 25lbs since beating Mad Jack Myton at Wetherby last October and has reportedly been targeted at this race. On paper, he ticks all boxes; however, 7/2 in a race of this nature doesn’t do it for me.
The two that make the most appeal are second favourite Max Dynamite and Tigris River. Max Dynamite is a proven Group performer on the flat, from the all-conquering Mullins / Ricci conglomerate. He was narrowly touched off in the Melbourne Cup, was the winner of the Lonsdale Cup and looked to be tanking in the Ascot Gold Cup before getting badly hampered on the inside rail. He was second in this race last year having run through beaten horses.
Tigris River has caught my eye twice in the last 12 months, firstly at Leopardstown in January when he made ground in the closing stages to run into fourth in the Coral Hurdle. Secondly on his next run at Bellewstown in early July when he again came home in fourth having not been knocked around to
do so. The connections speak for themselves and he’s currently available at 20/1, which is huge. He has course experience also having won a Maiden Hurdle at the meeting last year.
Max Dynamite – 1pt e/w – 7/1 available with Sky Bet
Tigris River – 1pt e/w – 16/1 available with Ladbrokes and Bet 365
Good luck
CF TIPS