GALWAY FESTIVAL 2016 [JULY 25th -- JULY 31st] -- DAY SEVEN

DAY SEVEN

Sunday is our final day of action here at Galway and the meeting will begin at 2:15pm with a 2m Handicap Hurdle.

The feature race today is the Ahonoora Handicap over 7f and will be under way at 3:20, where 15 runners face the starter for this sixty thousand euro contest. 

As mentioned on day one our recent years have focused on the horses from trainer Dermot Weld all week but it's not been the best of meetings this time. Still it's only once a year and plenty of fun to be had all the same. He's only got 3 runners for Sunday so we'll have a look at some of the other races today as well.

Going -- NH - Good, Flat - Yielding.

Weather Forecast -- A high of 16C with a good chance of rain during the day sadly.

DAY SEVEN SELECTIONS;

2:15 -- STUCCODOR  [13th 14/1]

3:20 -- Feature race of the day, the Ahonoora Handicap over 7f with 19 declared. As it stands Dermot Weld has the 2nd Reserve (KATIMAVIK) and is confirmed as the non runner. 

And the form of the Brian Ellison yard here means we want to look very closely at a pair of runners that have already had a run this week. BARAWEEZ [5th 6/1], won this last year and has a 7lb claimer to aid the handicap mark. Along with TOP NOTCH TONTO [Non Runner] who already has a bit of a cult following but clearly has a bit of quality too having been runner up on Tuesday in the feature race then under this same jockey.

4:30 -- THREE KINGDOMS  [5th 12/1].

5:00 -- TARAZANI  [WON 15/8F]. 

5:30 -- MOUNIRA  [6th Evens].

6:00 -- FIRST FIGARO  [2nd 8/11F].

Hopefully we can at least end the week with a winner, well we had the one but plenty of defeats and maybe we just leave it at that.  

D Weld p/l for week +/- [-20.435] Finished  
Overall week p/l to date +/- [-20.435] Finished 

Summer, Horse Racing, Galway, Irish Women, Guinness = Life IS Good.

And sadly that's all from Galway for this years festival, plenty of exciting racing still to go this year but I hope you enjoyed yourselves. I did despite the results ... and I'll be back.

GALWAY FESTIVAL 2016 [JULY 25th -- JULY 31st] -- DAY SIX

DAY SIX

Saturday gets under-way at 2:40pm with a maiden hurdle over 2m.

The feature race today is the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle over 2m 5f and will be under way at 3:15, and 19 runners face the starter.

As mentioned on day one our recent years have focused on the horses from trainer Dermot Weld and we will continue to track his progress this week though we might also offer one or two other selections in particular the feature races if no Weld runner is declared.

Going -- NH - Good, Flat - Yielding (Soft in places)

Weather Forecast -- A high of 17C with a mixed bag of sunshine and rain forecast.

DAY SIX SELECTIONS;

2:40 -- GOOD TRADITION  [Non Runner]. 

3:15 -- The feature race for Saturday is the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle. There's no D Weld entry for this event so we'll have a try with something else. 

19 declared for this 2m 6f event, it would be foolish to ignore the chances of Willie Mullins / Ruby Walsh teaming up with WESTERNER LADY [WON 3/1] is clearly improving and Ruby has been on board the last two wins. 

At a more interesting price is Gordon Elliott's WRATH OF TITANS about 20/1 and worth a look ew. 

3:50 -- MUJAAZY  [5th 7/2]

4:25 -- FIERY SPEECH  [WON 11/4F]

5:00 -- CHAPTER ONE  [15th 8/1]

5:35 -- SHINGHARI  [12th 13/2]

One winner from Dermot Weld selections today, a small loss for Saturday but a winner from Ruby in the big race and took a few points off the overall loss. Not the best year never mind.

D Weld p/l for week +/- currently [-18.31pts]

Overall week p/l to date -- +/- currently [-17.31pts]

Summer, Horse Racing, Galway, Irish Women, Guinness = Life IS Good.

Results will be updated on Saturday early evening and we'll have one final day racing on Sunday which will also be published during the afternoon.

QATAR "GLORIOUS" GOODWOOD FESTIVAL [TUES 26th JULY - SAT 30th JULY] -- DAY FIVE

SATURDAY

We've some big races to take a look at on the final day and the feature is the Group 1 Nassau stakes which is due off at 3:10pm. And for those that like a challange there's also the 28 runner Stewards Cup off at 3.45pm.

We are only looking at the major races each day not the entire card so focused on the main Group Races or major handicaps. The meeting runs to Saturday and we'll keep running totals of profit / loss throughout the week.

Going -- Good to firm, Good in places.

Weather -- Generally sunny, bit breezy and high 21C

2:35 Qatar Handicap 1m 4f (Class 2) 

16 runner handicap for 3yo's over mile and a half, should be fairly easy yeah, plenty with a progressive profile but we favour both SHABBAH [11th 9/2] and REGAL MONARCH [Non Runner] against the field here.

Where did you get that hat ... 

3:10 Nassau Stakes (Fillies Group 1) 1m 1f
A small field of five here for the feature Group 1 race of the day and 1000 Guineas / Oaks winner MINDING [WON 1/5F] has scared the opposition off it seems. SWISS RANGE [4th 7/1] likely to chase her home.

3:45 Stewards Cup 6f (Heritage Handicap)

28 runners for this summer renewal of the Stewards Cup, where plenty of luck in running will be needed, and it makes sense to take one from each side of the draw. 

So I am going with HOOFALONG [14th 25/1] along with SPRING LOADED [19th 33/1] against the field and both should be fairly generously priced.

That's all for this week at Goodwood, Results will appear here during the course of Saturday afternoon.

Enjoy your weekend we've got meetings at Pontefract and Kempton to enjoy next Wednesday.

GALWAY FESTIVAL 2016 [JULY 25th -- JULY 31st] -- DAY FIVE

DAY FIVE

The fifth day is another evening meeting and will begin at 5:10pm with a 2m Handicap Hurdle. The feature race tonight being the éu59k Guinness Handicap over a mile and half (well almost). 

As mentioned on day one our recent years have focused on the horses from trainer Dermot Weld and we will continue to track his progress this week though we might also offer one or two other selections in particular the feature races if no Weld runner is declared.

Going -- NH Good to Yielding,  Flat Yielding to Soft

Weather Forecast -- A high of 18C with plenty of sunshine forecast. 

DAY FIVE SELECTIONS;

5:45 -- LOST IN SILENCE [WON 11/8F]

6:15 -- WAAHEB [11th 9/1]

6:50 -- Today's feature race the Guinness Handicap where Dermot Weld saddles ALVEENA in this and is currently 7/2JF along with QUEEN ALPHABET. 

Though I will have to support the Weld inmate it is hard to get away from the strong form of the Peter Fahey mare who has won her last three on the level and also performed well over jumps in between. Clearly if I can get 4/1 or better them both will try and get onto them against the field.  [Alveena 10th 7/2  /  Queen Alphabet 8th 5/1]

7:25 --  GOOD TRADITION  [5th 3/1]  /  ZAFAYAN  [6th 7/1]

8:00 --  DALTON HIGHWAY  [2nd 4/1]

8:30 --  ZULU ALPHA  [2nd 4/5F]

Day Five Figures -- Only the single winner again, plenty of places again, lost 4.62 today.

D Weld p/l for week +/- currently [-18.06pts]

Overall week p/l to date -- +/- currently [-20.06pts]

Summer, Horse Racing, Galway, Irish Women, Guinness = Life IS Good.

Day Six [Saturday] is about to be published and we hope that the weekend can make the figures look a little better. At least Goodwood has been better this year, and we've updated that meeting too already for it's finale.

Still enjoying this excellent week of racing.

QATAR "GLORIOUS" GOODWOOD FESTIVAL [TUES 28th JULY - SAT 30th JULY] -- DAY FOUR

FRIDAY

Thursday results were again a bit frustrating, 2nd, 2nd, ... at least in the case of Palasator in the Goodwood Cup we were able to nick some place money but well done to Big Orange for winning it again.

While we are busy at Galway this week we only looking at the major races each day not the entire card so focused on the main Group Races or major handicaps. The meeting runs to Saturday and we'll keep running totals of profit / loss throughout the week.

Going -- Good to Firm.
Weather -- Generally sunny, bit breezy and high 21C

2:35 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes 1m (Group 3)
Nice field of 11 three year olds, and once more Godolphin are mob handed with four contenders of which EMOTIONLESS seems their best chance. 

Taking a chance on THE SEEK HIM HERE under a strong Dettori ride now stepping up in trip and seasonal debut could be the time to catch him. [Non Runner]

Where did you get that hat ... 

3:10 Betfred Mile 1m (Heritage Handicap)

Another mile event now but has 22 runners so will not be straightforward. FRANKLIN D [WON 7/4F] looks the inform contender and with Ryan Moore on board sure to have plenty of support. 

We'll look elsewhere for something at a more interesting price, first look is JAILAWI [13th 20/1] drawn 22 for S De Sousa, stepping up in class a bit but clearly in good form. 

YOU'RE FIRED [11th 16/1] has run in plenty of big field handicaps at around this sort of grade, has a 5lb claimer to help in the handicap and could be a big price to stay on if the gaps come for him.

3:45 King George Stakes 5f (Group 2)


Our last race for today is just as difficult as the big mile handicap above, 17 declared and over 5f plenty of luck is needed, but for me the bottom weight MARSHA [5th 5/1], looks the one to be on for Sir Mark Prescott and the 1000s of members of the Elite Racing Club.

That's all for Friday.

Saturday will therefore be updated soon and the conclusion of this years meeting will feature a great card including the Group 1 Nassau Stakes and also the Stewards Cup handicap.

GALWAY FESTIVAL 2016 [JULY 25th -- JULY 31st] -- DAY FOUR

DAY FOUR

Another day of close but no cigar on Wednesday with all beaten favs and four of them coming second.

But we must move on to our fourth day which will begin in the afternoon at 1:50pm with a 2m 6f Beginners Chase. The feature race today, and indeed for the week, is the Grade A Galway Hurdle over a two mile, and is worth over 180,000 euro's to the winner. 

As mentioned on day one our recent years have focused on the horses from trainer Dermot Weld and we will continue to track his progress this week though we might also offer one or two other selections in particular the feature races if no Weld runner is declared.

Going -- NH -- Good, Flat -- Yielding, Yielding to soft.

Weather Forecast -- A high of 17C with the overall outlook of rain forecast so take a brolly or stay in the bar. Have a good afternoon.  

DAY FOUR SELECTIONS;

1:50 -- DON'T TELL NO ONE  [3rd 11/2] Beaten a neck and a head into 3rd by a 66/1 shot. When your lucks not in ... 


3:30 -- EMERGENT  [6th 13/2]

4:45 -- SILVER CONCORDE  [Non Runner]

Day Four Figures -- Only had the three entries planned for today and one of them turned out to be a non runner. Placed in the opening race and one to go ...

D Weld p/l for week +/- [-13.44pts down]

Overall week p/l to date -- +/- [-14.44pts down]

Summer, Horse Racing, Galway, Irish Women, Guinness = Life IS Good.

Day Five (Friday) will be published soon, and we'll hope for better luck then. 

Enjoy your week. Soon be the weekend...

QATAR "GLORIOUS" GOODWOOD FESTIVAL [TUES 28th JULY - SAT 30th JULY] -- DAY THREE

THURSDAY
Wednesday was another day of near misses with places in the feature events but well done to The Gurkha for a narrow win in the Sussex Stakes beating Galileo Gold by a neck and now we move forward to Ladies Day.

We are only looking at the major races each day not the entire card so focused on the main Group Races or major handicaps. The meeting runs to Saturday and we'll keep running totals of profit / loss throughout the week.

So lets look at Day Three which is of course Ladies Day we've got a Group 3 and a pair of Group 2's which include the feature race the 2m Goodwood Cup;

Going -- Good.
Weather -- Generally sunny, bit breezy and high 19C

2:35 Richmond Stakes 6f (Group 2).

Just a small field of five for our opening Group 2 event this afternoon, Mehmas and Intelligence Cross are closely matched on recent G2 form at Newmarket, this long galloping straight should suit both, but probably struggling to match the form of BLUE POINT from Godolphin. [2nd 5/6F]

Where did you get that hat ... 

3:10 Goodwood Cup 2m (Group 2).

Today's feature event the Goodwood Cup, a big field of 15 and plenty in with chances, though I still remember seeing the way PALLASATOR [2nd 9/1] won over 2 miles at Sandown in May and was impressed with that form and this galloping track should suit.


3:45 Molecomb Stakes 5f (Group 3)

Small field again only the 7 declared, like the opportunity of MILL SPRINGS [4th 5/1] under the command of Frankie Dettori who is closing in on 3000 winners in Britain and this could well be the one to get him nearer to that landmark.

That's all for Thursday, results will be updated during the afternoon, and we will soon have an update for Friday which will feature the Group 2 King George Stakes.

GALWAY FESTIVAL 2016 [JULY 25th -- JULY 31st] -- DAY THREE

DAY THREE


The Galway festival is off with a bang, after the first couple of days results we are a little behind on -5.44pts but It's early days ...  

The third day begins a little earlier than the opening fixtures and will begin at 3:00pm with a 2m maiden hurdle, but the feature race this afternoon is the Grade A Galway Plate over 2m 6f which will get underway at 5:30pm. 

As mentioned on day one our recent years have focused on the horses from trainer Dermot Weld and we will continue to track his progress this week though we might also offer one or two other selections in particular the feature races if no Weld runner is declared.

Going -- NH -- Good ; Flat -- Yielding

Weather Forecast -- A high of 16C with a chance of a few showers later as it has been so far this week.  

DAY THREE SELECTIONS;

3:00 -- SILVER CONCORDE  [2nd 4/7F]

4:45 -- A SHIN KILDARE  [2nd 1/2F]

5:30 -- Now it's time for today's feature event which is the Grade A GALWAY PLATE over 2m 6f+. 

Dermot Weld runs THREE KINGDOMS [10th 25/1] here and is back-able at about 16/1. The race should be a good opportunity for the classy ROAD TO RICHES [Pulled Up] to take and we'll aim to support that one too today. 

6:40 -- CREME DE LA  [2nd 7/1]  /  THE MOORE FACTOR  [4th 9/2]

7:10 -- NEWCROSS  [2nd 5/4F]

Day Three results;
A bad start when the first couple of short priced favs get turned over, is that the signal for the week I don't know. No joy in the feature race and plenty of large bets went down on the favourite there too the bookies must have the luck of the Irish eh. 

More near misses later on too with Creme De La another 1/2L defeat. It's not our day.

D Weld p/l for the week +/- [-11.44]
Overall week p/l to date +/- [-12.44]

Summer, Horse Racing, Galway, Irish Women, Guinness = Life IS Good.

Results to update later tonight, and Day Four should be ready by then, not forgetting our other updates this week from the 'Glorious' Goodwood meeting.

Have a great week.