The highlight of the 2023 Galway Festival, the Galway Plate takes center stage in what looks to be a cracking renewal.
The Finishing Line Podcast has 2 selection to go to war with here and a runner by runner guide
When looking at such a race as the Galway Plate there is a lot to take into account, and some would say that it is easier to back the winner of the Aintree Grand National then the winner of the Galway Plate, and who are we to argue.
Now, onto the selections.
Galway Plate – Fury Road 11/1
First lets start with the main selection, Fury Road. A proven performer in Grade 1 company which saw him run 6 3/4L off Conflated in the Grade 1 Savills Chase, 8 3/4L off Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup, 9L off Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival where he was below par. This form alone makes him a massive player back in handicap company.
The choice of Jack Kennedy, Fury Road must play a huge part today at 11/1.
Galway Plate – Ash Tree Meadow 10/1
Last season 4th when comes in here off just 1lb higher, and that makes him of huge interest right away.
He comes in with two sadisfactory runs, one over hurdles (beat a neck), and one on the flat (beat 1L) to set him up nicely for a tilt to go 3 better than last season.
The kicker here is the 7lb that will be claimed by emerging talent Danny Gilligan.
Rode out his 7lb claim on Monday, but with Ash Tree Meadow already declared before the win, Danny still gets to utilize his 7lb claim here.
There are a lot of positives here for Ash Tree Meadow to go very close once again, and make 10/1 look value come 6.45 on Wednesday evening.
Galway Plate Runner by Runner Guide
- Kilcruit – I think he showed his had at the Punchestown Festival. 12lb higher here, tough ask.
- Hollow Games – A horse that is hard to catch right and at the prices, he becomes a watching brief.
- Final Orders – Shot through the ranks last season winning 5 in a row. Ran off his now mark at Cheltenham only to finish 5th. Reservations if he is a 150 horse.
- Enniskerry – Won at last years Galway Festival, primed from a win on the flat. Very interesting.
- Ash Tree Meadow – Read above.
- Hewick – Should make a bold bid to defend his crown, but to me Brain Hughes is not a positive.
- Fury Road – Read above.
- Authorized Art – Beat Ash Tree Meadow by 9L last season, but has struggled since. Money has come all week. Hard to weigh up.
- The Goffer – Won well at the Dublin Racing Festival, ran well behind Corach Rambler at Cheltenham, and put a bad run behind him to take 4th at Sandown. Each way shot.
- Lifetime Ambition – Looks on a high mark. Will get a run for your money.
- Visionarian – Handicap debut, but a stone higher than his hurdle mark. Decent Novice Chase form, but not enough to be backing at the prices.
- Gabbys Cross – Has the all important course for with a win the last season Blazers. Loves a mistake, and can not afford one here.
- Easy Game – Anyone would love to own this horse, but he will find a few to good here especially with ground gone against him.
- Ciel De Neige – Has totally gone off the boil since his three wins over fences last season. Hard to be confident he can land a blow.
- Andy Dufresne – Has it in him to run a massive race, but needs to turn a corner.
- A Wave Of The Sea – A lovable horse who always gives his all. Dont be surprised if he is bang there fighting for a place.
- Foxy Jacks – In and out over his career more than the washing this summer. All depends what side of they hey he wakes up on.
- Fighter Allen – Needs a big turn around to play a part here.
- Hurricane Georgie – Didn’t go unbacked in last season renewal, but doesn’t seems out of form.
- Upping The Anti – It would be a massive shock where he to win.
- Born By The Sea – A dark horse at the prices even with him 2lb out of the weights.
- Lieutenant Command – Won a 2m6f handicap chase at Leopardstown in March, but form before and after leaves a lot to be desired.
